About Birth Forward

Education, support & advocacy

Who we are

Birth Forward stands as an ambassador for parents wishing to make autonomous choices about their own and their families welfare throughout the full cycle of creating a family. We aim to provide advocacy, support and education for families and professionals in regards to the various stages of planning, creating and growing a family in Cyprus.

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Board Members 2023-2025

Panagiota Doukanari  President

Panagiota Doukanari President

B.A. Greek Philology, M.A. HR Management 

Active in Community Support, Project Development, Advocacy 

@ giota-AT-birthforward.com 

Ekaterina Miroshnichenko         Vice President

Ekaterina Miroshnichenko Vice President

HR professional, founder of MAPA parenting, cofounder of SOTA Business Consultancy

Active in the Organization's HR & Community Management

@ kate-AT-birthforward.com

Theodora Filippidou  Secretary

Theodora Filippidou Secretary

Philology & Systematic Philosophy, works in Education 

Active in Advocacy for Parental Rights, Maternity leave extension 

@ theodora-AT-birthforward.com 

Elina    Kyriacou  Treasurer

Elina Kyriacou Treasurer

English, Project Management 

Active in Project Development and financial oversight

@ elina-AT-birthforward.com

Board Members 2023-2025

Irene Sofroniou                                                   Board Member

Irene Sofroniou Board Member

Preshcool Education, Office Administration, Digital Marketing, Business Leadership 

Active in the organization's Political Affairs 

@ irene-AT-birthforward.com

Afroditi Anatolitou                 Board Member

Afroditi Anatolitou Board Member

B.A. Psychology, MSc. Clinical Neurology, MSc. Molecular Medicine

Passionate about breastfeeding and natural birth. 

@ afroditi-AT-birthforward.com 

Maria Stavrou                    Board Member

Maria Stavrou Board Member

B.Ed. Philosphy, Pedagogical and Psychology, M.A. in Educational Administration and Evaluation. 

Motivating women to protect their rights during childbirth and breastfeeding. 

@ maria-AT-birthforward.com 

Staff Members

Margarita Kapsou                             Executive Management

Margarita Kapsou Executive Management

B.A. Psychology, Philosophy, M.A. Clinical Psychology

Project Management, Grants Development, Social Media & Communications, Operational Management 

@ margarita-AT-birthforward.com 

What we do

Create

Create conditions that support women, men, families and professionals regarding conception, pregnancy, birth, parenting and health by raising respect, trust, knowledge and providing support.

Empower

Empower women in their innate ability to give birth, to empower chosen companions to be effective birth partners and to empower professionals in their efforts to provide well balanced services by offering knowledge and information alongside psychological and emotional preparation for labor, breastfeeding and parenthood.

Encourage trust

Encourage trust in the natural process of birth and avoid unnecessary medical interventions by providing relevant information and emotional support to women and their partners.

Remind

Remind women of their natural rights to experience a comfortable labor, to find comfortable labor positions, to protect their privacy and autonomy, and to assume a stance of an active partici.pant in the birthing process in a suitable environment

Assist

Assist couples in making informed and engaged choices regarding conception, pregnancy, and birth based on the latest research and conscious use of technology and obstetric procedures as well as personal inclination.

Support

Support families to achieve and maintain well-being physically, emotionally and spiritually constantly to learn about topics relating to our practice, providing a space to network and as well as promoting cooperation between the public and private sector in order to establish best practice.

Research

Research the current environment in order to identify where change is needed and to lobby for change to follow European Recommendations and Rights.

Why we do it

  • Cesarean rate biggest in Europe
  • Breastfeeding rate the lowest

  • Violation of human rights in birth

  • Negative health impacts on mother and child (physically and psychologically)

  • Updated practises to EU standards

  • Mothers/fathers/caretakers feel isolated and lack support


We implement our services by:

Provide education and support for parents (to be)

Raise awareness, research, lobby for change to follow EU recommendations

and rights

Education and networking for professionals

Founding Members

Title Name Profession
Dr.Eline PedersenChiropractor
Stefanie NicolaouDoula, Embryologist
Veronika ChristodoulidesAdult Educator
Maria TheodorouProject Manager
Andriani SouriMidwife
Karolina EilonPsychologist
Viola EdwardsPersonal&Corporate Advisor
Idil SeytanogluCoach
Dr.Emily JosephPediatrician
Bettina PoetisPhysiotherapist
Stalo LestaNGO consultant and Gender Expert
Sappho HajistylianouMidwife
Tanny TranMidwife
Marianna VassiliouLawyer
Chrystalla StavrouAccountant
Nadja KarayianniNGO consultant
Dr.Andreas AnastasiouPsychologist
Dr.Irene Paphiti-DemetriouPediatrician
Dr.George SamoutisGP
Dr.Costas HadziconstantinouChiropractor

Gallery | Birth Forward in action