In a recent statement from the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UN Population Fund Agency (UNFPA), the global community was alerted to the risk of a worldwide shortage of about one million midwives. This announcement was made in observance of the International Day of the Midwife. Midwives play a crucial role in health services and their growing scarcity could potentially endanger women and girls globally, particularly regarding issues related to sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth.
The UNFPA highlighted the crucial contributions of midwives during humanitarian crises, underlining that they provide vital and immediate health services to women, and are instrumental in preventing maternal deaths. According to 2023 data, approximately 287,000 women die annually from childbirth-related complications. Notwithstanding, the agency acknowledged that significant, though insufficient, progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality rates.
UNFPA’s Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem noted that the global midwife shortage is alarming. Challenging working conditions and manifest gender discrimination in this predominantly female profession have resulted in low wages, minimal opportunities for advancement, and reported instances of workplace sexual harassment.
Dr. Kanem aptly stated, “Without significantly expanding midwifery, more women will die in childbirth. Millions of stories will have no heroes, and instead end in tragedy.”
In addition to drawing attention to the global shortage, the UNFPA highlighted the need for a worldwide commitment to support the development of midwifery, including providing high-quality education and necessary resources to empower these professionals.
Commemorating the International Day of The Midwife, the UNFPA lauded the important work midwives carry out during humanitarian crises. The agency pointed to the midwives’ crucial work in handling cases of premature births and rape in the Kalambari refugee camp in Chad, which predominantly hosts female refugees from Cameroon.
A video released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on this day also brought to light the difficult circumstances women face amid Gaza’s ongoing conflict. Featuring a Palestinian midwife and head nurse from Gaza’s Al-Emarati hospital, it presented a poignant picture of the obstacles to safe childbirth in wartime conditions.
The UNFPA, in tandem with UNICEF, WHO, the International Confederation of Midwives and other partners, intends to initiate a new project, the “Global Midwifery Acceleration Roadmap”, aiming to boost the midwifery workforce. The roadmap is slated to be launched at the World Health Summit later this year.
As we continue the discourse around this essential health service, it is clear that much work remains to ensure the professionalism, education, and empowerment of midwives worldwide. Article by UN sexual and reproductive health agency