Army of Angels
ASIAN Geographic|AG 02/2020 - 141
Afghanistan’s community midwives
Sophie Ibbotson
Army of Angels

In Afghanistan, a woman dies every 27 minutes from pregnancy-related complications. At 6.5 percent (6,500 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), the maternal mortality rate in Badakhshan Province is the highest in the world. Over the course of her lifetime, an Afghan woman’s chance of dying in childbirth or from pregnancy complications is one in eight, compared to one in 8,000 in the developed world. There is nothing poetic about these deaths; the birth of any child is a miracle, but in Afghanistan, it often comes at too high a price.

With a nominal per-capita GDP of just US$585 (International Monetary Fund, April 2012), Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries on Earth. More than three decades of conflict with forces both external and internal have ravaged what infrastructure there was, and the much-advertised influx of foreign aid rarely reaches the people that need it most: the rural poor in Afghanistan’s remote, mountainous regions, as well as women in conservative communities who rarely, if ever, leave their homes and can have no contact with men outside their immediate family.

One of the most cost-effective ways of reaching out to these isolated populations, and an invaluable weapon in the war against infant and maternal mortality, is Afghanistan’s growing army of trained midwives. In 2002, Afghanistan had just 467 trained midwives, and less than half of all healthcare facilities had any female staff. In Nuristan – albeit an extreme case – male healthcare workers outnumbered female staff43 to 1. Refusing to be seen by men, even women that could physically reach medical services could not then be treated, contributing significantly to the death rate. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one midwife be available for every 175 women of childbearing age. To reach this goal, Afghanistan requires almost 5,000 midwives, and for cultural reasons, the vast majority of them need to be women.

この記事は ASIAN Geographic の AG 02/2020 - 141 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は ASIAN Geographic の AG 02/2020 - 141 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

ASIAN GEOGRAPHICのその他の記事すべて表示
A Spectrum Of Scarlet: The Symbolic Red Of Asian Flags
ASIAN Geographic

A Spectrum Of Scarlet: The Symbolic Red Of Asian Flags

A common thread that unites many Asian flags is the prominent use of red, a colour rich with symbolism

time-read
4 分  |
AG 165
Curry: A World of Flavour, Tradition, and Culture
ASIAN Geographic

Curry: A World of Flavour, Tradition, and Culture

From its humble beginnings in India, the concept of "curry" has evolved into a culinary language understood around the world

time-read
7 分  |
AG 165
The Power Of Asian Red Fruits - Discover 10 Nutrient-Rich Gems Of The East
ASIAN Geographic

The Power Of Asian Red Fruits - Discover 10 Nutrient-Rich Gems Of The East

In the vast tapestry of Nature, Asia has gifted the world an array of unique and vibrant fruits, particularly those in shades of red. These scarlet-hued gems, packed with flavour and nutrients, not only add a burst of colour to your plate but also carry valuable health benefits. From antioxidant-rich goji berries to the exotic dragon fruit, let's explore some of the most popular red fruits from Asia and discover why they should be part of your diet.

time-read
5 分  |
AG 165
Bhutan: A World Of Its Own
ASIAN Geographic

Bhutan: A World Of Its Own

With its majestic monasteries, red-robed monks, charming rural villages, and vibrant festivals, the Kingdom of Bhutan is a Himalayan paradise that promises an enriching travel experience like no other

time-read
3 分  |
AG 165
Take The Red Pill
ASIAN Geographic

Take The Red Pill

From the vermilion torii gates of Japan to the famed rust-hued walls of India's Agra Fort, the burgundy robes of Burmese monks to scarlet chillies drying in the Bangladeshi sun, red is the quintessential colour of Asia.

time-read
3 分  |
AG 165
70 Days for Our Land Animals
ASIAN Geographic

70 Days for Our Land Animals

Raising awareness about conservation, the environment, and the land-dwelling species of the world

time-read
2 分  |
AG 165
The Red Panda
ASIAN Geographic

The Red Panda

Meet the elusive guardian of the Eastern Himalayas

time-read
4 分  |
AG 165
Revealed Doctor Yellow
ASIAN Geographic

Revealed Doctor Yellow

Japan Railways' special lemony Shinkansen is a rare sight to behold

time-read
3 分  |
AG 164
The Mighty Yellow
ASIAN Geographic

The Mighty Yellow

Over 5,000 kilometres long and flowing through nine provinces and autonomous regions, the Yellow River is China's second largest, after the Yangtze, while its basin is deemed the cradle of Chinese civilisation

time-read
3 分  |
AG 164
Wildlife Big Yellow Beauty
ASIAN Geographic

Wildlife Big Yellow Beauty

The popular "amelanistic" form of the Burmese python is considered among the most beautiful snakes - if that's your sort of thing

time-read
4 分  |
AG 164