WUNRN
Also Via PWESCR - Women's
Livelihoods
09 June 2010
MIDWIVES - PERSPECTIVES - SYMPOSIUM
TO STRENGTHEN MIDWIFERY
WASHINGTON, D. C. — Throughout the Women Deliver conference, and the Symposium on Strengthening Midwifery that
preceded it, the critical importance of midwives to meeting the safe motherhood
challenge was emphasized. Here, midwives and advocates from multiple
countries talk about their work, the challenges they face and what they need in
order to save more women’s lives.
Ms. Fredrica Enyowam Hanson, Midwife and Maternal Health
Advisor, UNFPA “I want all midwives to understand how great they are, and what
an impact they have on the health of mothers and babies. When midwives
understand this, they can do even more. I came to this Symposium to be part
of the empowerment I’m seeking and to learn more tools from others who have
been able to influence their governments to push the midwifery agenda
forward." |
Carmen Rosa Gamarra Figueroa, “The big challenges in |
Ms. Mallavarapu Prakasamma, Director, Academy for Nursing
Studies, India, also representing the Alliance of Midwifery Associations of
South Asia “I hope the participants from around the world felt the
strength we represent, and used this opportunity to build alliances. In |
Ms. Agnes Jacobs, Midwife and Maternal Health Advisor, UNFPA “The positive message I want to share from |
Ramziah Ahmad, President, Malaysian Nurses’ (and Midwives’)
Association “I came to learn from others and share our progress. I want to
use examples of others to benchmark Malaysia–understand what we do well and
what could be done better–in our talks with Ministers and other stakeholders.
In general, I believe that midwives need more role models, mentors,
leadership skills, and closer teamwork in our fight for quality education,
etc. The Symposium was also a fabulous global networking opportunity. I hope
this is only the first in a series of global meetings to strengthen
midwifery.” |
Mr. Drissa Ouedraogo, “This Symposium helped us establish a new vision for
midwifery: To identify common challenges, and how to overcome them to strengthen
midwifery. I work at a district referral hospital but I do a lot of community
outreach. We need to make sure women seek care. Although maternal health is
not entirely free in my country, women only have to pay 20 per cent of the
cost. I also want to encourage more men to become midwives. I’m proud of my
job.” |
Ms. Gunilla Essner, Initiator of the Global Midwifery Program,
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency “It seems like the world is slowly realizing that women’s
lives are worth more. For the past 15 years, I’ve been working to strengthen
midwifery. Now we are beginning to see the results as more midwives dare to
speak up about their needs and demand quality education and training so they
can provide quality care and save more lives. The Symposium showed the
establishment process in the making, and worked as a communication channel
for midwives.” |
—
Reported by Asa Hildestrand, photographs by Moises Saman
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