UNFPA supports midwives & the International Day of the Midwife.

• Tenlastelegging: News from ICM and partners - Brief article

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director, sent a message in advance of the International Day of the Midwife: 'Every day, midwives are saving women's lives by making delivery safe. Their essential care before, during and after delivery ensures that no woman dies giving life. When women are healthy, families are healthy. And when families are healthy, the well-being of communities and nations also improves.

'... UNFPA pays tribute to the work of midwives around the world and calls for increased investments to train and retain midwives where they are most needed. Together with partners, UNFPA is starting a new programme to promote midwifery around the world.

'Every minute another woman dies in childbirth. We can save these women by getting midwives in their communities. By investing in midwives, governments can achieve universal access to reproductive health and the fifth Millennium Development Goal, to improve maternal health.

'There is an...