“The hardest thing to do in life, is to do nothing.”
"I believe that in the worst of humanity, the best of humanity shows up. And I will always choose the best of humanity.”
Aminata Conteh-Biger,
Founder & CEO Aminata Maternal Foundation
In 2012, I nearly lost my life giving birth to my daughter, Sarafina, in Australia. The birth was complicated by shoulder dystocia, a life-threatening emergency that required immediate medical intervention. It took more than seven doctors and the quality of Australia’s healthcare system, to ensure safe delivery, and save both Sarafina and I.
Aminata's experience was her catalyst. Now she wants to save precious lives.
“Birth should mark a beginning, not an end.”
Aminata Conteh-Biger describes herself first and foremost as an observer of systems, someone who sees not only what is, but what must change.
Aminata’s life has been shaped by both profound adversity and unwavering hope. Born in Sierra Leone, Aminata’s journey is one of survival, resilience, and transformation. It is this lived experience that fuels her work today as an entrepreneur, humanitarian, and changemaker.
Watch and share
Award-Winning SBS Dateline Documentary, ‘Daughter of Sierra Leone’
Restore Dignity to Humanity
The Project Channel 10
Awards & recognition
Aminata’s advocacy and story have been featured by BBC World News, SBS Dateline, The Project, ABC Radio National, and The Conversation, amplifying her urgent call for global action.
Aminata's book
Aminata is the author of the acclaimed memoir Rising Heart (Pan Macmillan, 2020), chronicling her journey from war survivor to humanitarian leader.
Aminata’s leadership has been widely recognised. In 2021, she was named Women’s Agenda Setter of the Year for her relentless humanitarian work in maternal health.
She received a full scholarship to the prestigious McKinsey Leadership Development Program, in 2023 reflecting her exceptional vision as a CEO.
Praise for Rising Heart
Aminata personally pledged to donate a portion of the royalties of her book, Rising Heart, to the Aminata Maternal Foundation.
This means that when you buy a copy for yourself, and perhaps another to give to a loved one, you are doing much more than purchasing a book.
You are potentially saving a newborn’s life, or directly contributing to the Foundation cause.
Help us to safely deliver Sierra Leonean babies and support and empower Sierra Leonean girls and women.
Praise for Rising Heart: https://aminata.co/rising-heart-book
“One woman’s astonishing journey from unimaginable trauma to becoming a power for good.”
Join Aminata’s mission!
We exist to make birth safe NOW and for the FUTURE.
1 in 17 women die during childbirth in Sierra Leone while in Australia it is 1 in 8,700 women.
Aminata Maternal Foundation is a global humanitarian organisation established to END infant and maternal mortality in Sierra Leone. You can help provide safe delivery, education, restoring dignity, income, and health services; especially for teenage mothers. 22% of pregnancies in Sierra Leone are teenagers; one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the world.
Leading through sustainability and innovation.
Aminata Conteh-Biger helps leaders, organisations and communities restore dignity to humanity, turning empathy into action and purpose into measurable impact. For over two decades, Aminata was Special Representative for Australia (UNHCR).
She is a global voice for humanity and justice.
Stay connected with Aminata. Follow Aminata on Instagram or join our newsletter to hear from her and the broader Aminata Maternal Foundation team.
