International Midwives Day

 



It is common knowledge that women did not always give birth in hospitals and clinics. In most cases women would give birth in their homes under the care of a woman who is experienced in childbirth. These women specialized in the process of childbirth and made sure it came to fruition putting the health of the mother and newborn first. These women are called midwives.


International Midwifery day celebrates the expectional work done by these women to humanity for midwifery is an important component of the healthcare system. Over the years the profession has improved to such an extent that we have people taking courses, diplomas in widwifery and what's even better  is that we now have man in that proffession.


Midwives are at the core of the healthcare system of every country because of the crucial role they play in the health of women and their new borns. They play an important role in ensuring the health of women and new born babies.


Their work does not only end with ensuring safe delivery for women but they also uphold women's rights and promote sexual health and reproductive rights of all women.  They are whistle blowers on issues of gender based violence and harmful practices like female genital mutilation and child marriages.


In Zimbabwe, the work of midwives is evident especially in rural areas where most women cannot access clinics or hospitals hence they rely on experienced midwives in their communities although this poses a danger to the mother and child considering that they will end up giving birth in unsanitary places.


However the operations of this powerful and crucial women have not been all rosy. They have been made to operate in unfavorable circumstances with discrimination and unequal pay being some of their problems.


These unfavorable working conditions have been made worse by the COVID 19 pandemic which resulted in most of them working without enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) hence putting their lives at risk.


Despite all this, midwives have continued to show their courage and dedication by continuing to support childbearing women in tough circumstances.


The tremendous work done by midmives should be celebrated all year round because they are an axis to humanity.


Happy International Midwives Day


Feministry!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Age of consent: A cause for celebration

Image
  With all the efforts to end child marriages, teenage pregnancies and the violation of children's rights the ruling that the age of sexual consent in Zimbabwe is now eighteen years is a cause for celebration. This goes a long way in trying to end child marriages by the year 2030. This landmark ruling has far reaching consequences when it comes to the protection of the girl child. Having the age of sexual consent raised from sixteen to eighteen means that now adolescent girls can not be forced into sexual activities and also it has been made difficult for older men to indulge in sexual activities with girls below the age of eighteen. The landmark ruling has provided a cushion for young girls. However this ruling by the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe is just a step towards the right direction. A lot still needs to be done to protect the girl child.  There are cultural and religious practices that still violate girl's rights. In Zimbabwe such practices as church dreams that im...
Read more

Women at the forefront of Climate Change

Image
Climate change is a global phenomenon that is characterized by long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.Although these shifts may be normal,since the 1800s human activities like the burning of fossil fuels   have greatly contributed to climate change.  In as much as this phenomenon affects everyone, women tend to be the most disadvantaged because its effects are shaped with issues of gender equality and violence against women. In most crises women tend to be the most affected victims. Climate change results in many disasters which includes famines,heatwaves and cyclones.  In times like these it is girls who are most likely to drop out of school in order to help the family with looking for food, chores or even to take care of younger siblings whilst their parents are trying to make ends meet for the family. Dropping out of school means these young girls and women have also missed out on an opportunity to learn about climate change and how to curb it. This...
Read more

Transport Woes: A woman’s plight

Image
Image Courtesy of Abstract Art If you don't drive your own car, commuting to work is always a hassle. When you live in a country with its own economic demons, it gets even more complicated. You have to choose between being early and getting a cheaper ride. Getting back from work one fine day, I managed to hop into a car after many failed attempts. The pressure of trying to get into the car is something that I cannot even start talking about. One picture pops into my head whenever I remember this day. While wearing my earphones, I sat by the window. This is my most comfortable position when travelling because I get to observe and see a lot of things as I pass by. And indeed, that day I saw something, a happy and sad picture that stuck with me until this very moment. I saw a man riding his bicycle, behind him on that very same bicycle was a woman who was sat facing sideways, apposition that I presume was not the most comfortable. The reason why she sat like that is because she had a ...
Read more