Date: 2016-10-15

In a statement coinciding with the publication of a new global survey by the WHO, International Confederation Of Midwives, and the White Ribbon Alliance Global, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, ICM Global Goodwill Ambassador and Founder, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa has said:

"I welcome the launch of the WHO "Midwives Voices, Midwives Realities Report 2016" - A global survey which documents the voices of 2740 Midwives in 93 countries, and describes, from their perspective, the barriers they experience to providing quality respectful care for women, newborns and their families."

"The findings highlight that hierarchies of power and gender discrimination hinder progress, but also demonstrate the great potential for improvements in quality of care when the voices of midwives are heard."

"The survey revealed that midwives earn lower salaries that are not comparable with similar health professions, while one-fifth of midwives depend on another source of income to survive."

"Nearly half (45%) of midwives reported being exhausted. We know that most midwives combine triple roles of work, motherhood and caring for others in their communities. Many midwives are neither being provided with adequate education, or regulatory and legal support While a lack of investment in midwives reinforces gender inequality & unequal power relations within the health system."

"In a world where so many women, and their families lack access to the required continuum of care and counsel, to survive and thrive, midwives can, and should be the army to change dire health outcomes, if we invest in them and provide them with skills"