The White Ribbon is dedicated to the memory of all women who have died in pregnancy and childbirth. Worldwide, every minute of every day, one woman dies of pregnancy-related complications. Nearly 600,000 women die each year. The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood unites individuals, organizations and communities who are working to increase public awareness about this needless loss of life and to promote safe motherhood worldwide. 

Every seven minutes one woman in India dies from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. This adds up to over a 100,000 women every year.

Given that this figure is among the highest number of maternal deaths worldwide, it was appropriate that the global White Ribbon Alliance Movement was launched in India in November 1999. The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood unites individuals, organizations and communities who are committed towards increasing public awareness on how to prevent these deaths and promote Safe Motherhood. 

WRAI represents NGOs, INGOs, donor agencies, bilaterals, multilaterals and many committed individuals, working together as a coalition to increase awareness, build alliances and act as a catalyst for action in order to reduce maternal mortality. Today WRAI membership at the national level is 78 organizations with five state-level White Ribbon Alliances (WRAs). 

The WRAI functions as an informal coalition. Strategically, WRAI has opted not to register in order to maintain its voluntary nature. WRAI is open to all stakeholders, interested groups, and individuals. Volunteerism, inclusiveness, open membership, and collaboration are among the most important guiding principles adopted by the membership.

Currently, the WRAI Secretariat is hosted by CEDPA.