On this International Day of the Midwife, we take a moment to honour and celebrate the efforts of midwives all over the world who work tirelessly to improve the lives of women, men, girls, and boys. The theme of this year's International Day of the Midwife, "Together Again: from Evidence to Reality," highlights the crucial role midwives play in making the world a safer and healthier place for women, children, and adolescents.

Every year, thousands of women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, but many of these deaths can be prevented with basic prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care, as well as facility-based deliveries. Midwives are integral to providing these services, working tirelessly to support mothers and families throughout the entire process.

In just ten years, midwives have transformed from a relatively unknown profession in Bangladesh into an integral part of the national health system whose services have become critical in protecting the lives of pregnant mothers and newborns across the country. With UNFPA's support, the midwifery profession has been able to expand its reach to all corners of the country, including hard-to-reach areas affected by climate change, disaster and humanitarian crises.

In a world where the population has reached 8 billion, it is essential that women and girls are empowered to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Midwives can play a vital role in providing information and services related to SRHR to ensure that everyone, regardless of their gender identity, disability, race, income, or any other factors, can exercise their rights and make informed choices about their reproductive health.

On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to work closely with the government to continue improving the regulation, education, practice, and advocacy of the midwifery profession in Bangladesh. We do this in solidarity with midwives around the world, recognizing their vital role in safeguarding the lives of women, newborns, and adolescents. We salute the midwives in Bangladesh for their dedicated service and thank them for their unwavering commitment to maternal and newborn health.
 

Ms. Kristine Blokhus

Country Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh