WUNRN
Interfaith Encounter Association -
Israel-Palestine
Midwives of Peace Meeting
at Beit Jala -
Participants: Aisha, Hala, Galia, Mindy, Wissam, Ronit, Rachel, Irit, Hulud, Smadar, Abir, Tami, Malka, Lior, Gomer
Beit Jala is an Arab Christian town in the West Bank, 10 km south of Jerusalem,
The
Beit Jala meeting opened with the presentation to Hala
of the ultrasound machine that was purchased with money contributed by Madre.
This ultrasound machine will enable Hala to provide
comprehensive health care for mothers and babies in her community at the birth
center she is creating.
The significance of meeting was reaffirmed by all the participants, especially because of the escalation of violence in the South. The feminine spirit of mutual support of women by women is a basic foundation of our group. We believe that empowerment of women and support of women's health issues is our way of creating peace with our neighbors. Supporting each other during difficult times is a part of being a Midwife of Peace.
Each participant, in turn, told what is happening in her life now. The political situation found its way into our circle, the fact being that is shapes our daily lives as women in many different ways. Painful stories were told of difficult situations at the checkpoints, of violence toward women and the strain and complexity of living life under occupation. By providing witness to these stories, we understood even more the importance of our meetings, the existence of the group and our commitment to a feminine, democratic and egalitarian dialogue.
It is worth noting that the group has been meeting for 4 years and up until now there has been little mention of these topics. It seems that a feeling of trust has been created within the group which enabled the women feel safe enough to express what was in their hearts.
Rachel Feit presented a lecture on the topic of Cord Clamping, rich with research documentation in support delayed cord clamping. ___________________________________________________________________
Palestine-Israel
- Midwives for Peace
Midwives for Peace is a grassroots group of Palestinian and Israeli
midwives working together to ensure that childbirth is a joyous and safe
experience for women despite the armed conflict that surrounds them. Midwives for Peace saves
lives by providing critical pre-natal care and childbirth support to women in
the West Bank and
Together, Israeli and Palestinian midwives attend workshops and training
sessions, share their best practices and develop an understanding through a
common belief that regardless of the conflict raging around them, mothers and
newborns – whether Israeli or Palestinian – deserve to be safe.
By coming together from opposite sides of the Israel-Palestine border, Midwives for Peace is able
to fulfill an urgent humanitarian need, promote reproductive rights and build
peace.
Saving
Lives in Occupied Territory
Dedicated
to peace and their profession, Midwives
for Peace provides midwives with resources, training and a network
of professionals dedicated to midwifery.
Through Midwives for Peace,
The Safe Birth Project enables Palestinian women who are in labor to deliver
safely despite Israeli military roadblocks and checkpoints that prevent or
dangerously delay them from reaching hospitals in the
Certified, well-equipped midwives help ensure healthy births for women and
their babies. And midwives give women the support they need for a joyful,
empowering experience of childbirth.