Midwives are central to the challenge of reducing maternal and newborn deaths. But the number of midwives falls far short of the need. Moreover, their services are unequally distributed – among and within countries.
Documenting the current situation is a first step toward meeting the needs of women around the world. The State of the World’s Midwifery, the first comprehensive analysis of midwifery services and issues, provides new information and data gathered from 58 countries in all regions of the world. Two-page profiles on each of the countries studied are also available in three languages.
- Assessess the number and distribution of health professionals involved in obstetrical care.
- Explores issues related to training, regulation, professional associations, policies and external aid.
- Analyzes the constraints and challenges that midwives face in their lives and work.
- Call for investments for scaling up midwifery services, as well as ‘skilling up’ the providers.
The report includes statistical tables and applicable global standards, collating relevant midwifery information into one reference document.
Behind the State of the World’s Midwifery stand some of the key international partners working on this issue.
- Access the report – Available in English, Spanish and French
- Read the executive summary
- View the country profiles
- Visit – resources and tools for midwives
- Watch – Excellence in Midwifery: ICM Save the Children Every One Midwife Award recipients
- Learn – prioritizing care at birth is a triple return on investments