UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for increased investment in training for midwifery and maternal care, highlighting the vital role played by indigenous midwives in protecting the health and well-being of mothers and children.
He made the call in a message on Sunday marking International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
Guterres said the United Nations is working with member states and indigenous communities to advance a rights-based approach to healthcare. He urged governments to collect the necessary data to address gaps in health information systems that often leave indigenous patients invisible.
“Governments must collect the necessary data to address the information gaps in healthcare systems that often leave indigenous patients invisible,” he said. “At the same time, greater investment is needed in midwifery and training for maternal care.”
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that indigenous women have the right to make informed decisions about their bodies and healthcare.
Citing various studies, Guterres said indigenous midwives help protect mothers and children, build trust in healthcare services and ensure continuity of care.
“As repositories of knowledge and experience, they also preserve the languages, values and practices that have sustained indigenous cultures across generations,” he said.
The UN chief noted that indigenous peoples account for more than 6 percent of the world’s population. They are custodians of cultural heritage, protectors of vital ecosystems and play an indispensable role in shaping the world’s shared future.
“Yet their rights and well-being face disproportionate threats around the world,” Guterres said. “Some of the most pressing challenges concern maternal and child health. Indigenous women experience significantly higher rates of complications and deaths related to childbirth than the general population.”
“For this reason, on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations is placing particular emphasis on the role of indigenous midwives,” he added.
Guterres said traditional knowledge can play an important role in saving new lives, stressing the need for collective efforts to ensure that indigenous midwives and the communities they serve receive all necessary support.