In 2020, there were one million women of reproductive age in Niger State, Nigeria – and only 66 state-employed midwives to serve them. Rates of maternal and newborn death are alarmingly high in Nigeria, and the women’s stories are heartbreaking: from being forced to deliver while scared and alone, to losing a baby because no midwife was on night shift at the nearest health center.
On the International Day of the Midwife in May 2021, advocates organized women to bravely share these stories publicly. Niger State government officials were deeply moved by women’s testimonials about the devastating impacts of the midwifery shortage.
Immediately following the event, the Niger State Ministry of Health announced the recruitment of 100 midwives. And one year later, the Ministry has newly recruited 100 midwives and further expanded its health workforce by hiring 100 nurses and 100 community health extension workers—putting essential reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services within closer reach. Though there is much more work to be done in Niger State, today more women will have access to midwives in their time of need—because they spoke up about their needs and personal experiences.
