Honoring Midwives: The Lifeline of Maternal and Newborn Health in Africa
Message from WHO Acting Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu
On International Day of the Midwife, we celebrate the indispensable role of midwives across Africa—frontline heroes safeguarding maternal and newborn health while serving as critical responders in every health crisis.
Video credit to: MOHAP UAE وزارة الصحة ووقاية المجتمع الإماراتية
Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures
Aligned with World Health Day 2025 and its theme, Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, this year’s observance emphasizes the urgent need for greater recognition and investment in midwives—the backbone of safe childbirth and reproductive health.
In the African Region, where over 1 million newborns and 178,000 mothers die annually, midwives provide lifesaving care in even the most challenging conditions. Their dedication has significantly reduced maternal mortality—from 727 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 442 in 2023.
Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis
The 2025 theme, Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis, highlights their resilience in fragile health systems, conflict zones, and during pandemics. Often, they are the sole providers of sexual and reproductive health services in underserved communities.
Despite a projected shortage of 6.1 million health workers in Africa by 2030, progress is evident—the number of midwives nearly doubled from 173,269 in 2013 to over 334,000 in 2022, thanks to strategic investments.
Strengthening Midwifery for a Healthier Future
The WHO collaborates with Member States to enhance midwifery education, workforce density, and emergency preparedness. In 2024, the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter was endorsed, reinforcing long-term commitments. For instance, Zimbabwe’s new Investment Compact will allocate an additional $166 million annually to bolster its health workforce, prioritizing midwives.
Yet, challenges persist—many midwives lack proper tools, fair wages, or career advancement opportunities. Their voices remain underrepresented in policy decisions affecting their profession and the communities they serve.
A Call to Action
Governments must integrate midwives into emergency response plans, ensure their protection, and provide mental health support. Training must evolve to include trauma-informed care and leadership skills.
When midwives are empowered and respected, health systems thrive, and mothers and children gain better survival chances. The WHO stands with midwives—not just today, but every day.
Let’s act now—because midwives aren’t just critical in crises; they are essential to every solution.
Learn more: WHO Africa