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Document Type

Article

Abstract

Immediately after the fall of the Taliban in 2002, the midwifery system in Afghanistan underwent a massive reform, and Afghanistan has since developed a strong midwifery pre service educational (PSE) system to achieve the relevant MDG goals. Establishment and involvement of professional associations, and partnerships with the government and other key stakeholders have contributed in shared knowledge, resources, and coordinated activities to speed up achieving these goals.

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and its partners believe that the midwifery profession needs to be a strong voice in reducing maternal and child mortality. The three pillars of the midwifery profession, including education, regulation, and a strong professional association (ERA), are all essential in order to achieve this.

With the support and technical guidance of national and international partners, the midwifery pillars in Afghanistan continue to develop and become stronger. Despite all this success, still, there is a long way to go. For instance, Pre-service education needs further strengthening especially the faculty development part for higher education, and in order to maintain the competencies of midwives throughout their career span there is a dire need of establishing a regulatory body so that the quality and safety of mothers’ and newborns’ health can be ensured. Moreover, the Afghan Midwives Association (AMA) still needs to increase its organizational capacity for a stronger, more visible, and efficient contribution to the national road map of strategic approaches to accelerate the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality in the country.

The present article provides an overview on strengthening the three pillars of the midwifery profession in Afghanistan, and examines the factors which have influenced midwifery in Afghanistan towards a positive change both at the individual and societal level.

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