Improving maternal and newborn health is a critical part of the Sustainable Development Goals, where we, as a global community, commit to ending preventable maternal and newborn mortality. The United Nations has consistently highlighted the crucial role midwives play in achieving these targets. Despite the need for increased investments in midwifery, the profession remains critically underfunded, with devastating consequences for mothers, children and whole societies.
Globally, the need for skilled maternal and newborn health care is immense. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 287,000 women died during pregnancy and childbirth in 2020, with 94% of these deaths occurring in low-resource settings. Every day, around 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. This grim reality is a reminder that investing in midwifery is not merely a choice, but an urgent necessity.
