WOMEN globally contribute more than 76 percent of care and support work, a vital yet undervalued aspect of society. Unfortunately, much of this labour remains unpaid and lacks recognition from both communities and governments.
Betty Kabari, Women’s Rights researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), sheds light on the crucial role of traditional birth attendants in Africa. These women, trained by professionals, play a pivotal role in providing essential pregnancy education, referring women and girls in their communities to health facilities, and, on occasion, delivering safe, quality care for uncomplicated births. Approximately 24 percent of women and girls in Eastern and Southern Africa rely on these traditional birth attendants.
However, the formal acknowledgment of traditional birth attendants within national healthcare systems across many African countries remains inadequate. Their work, training, and compensation often rely on the support of private healthcare providers. Furthermore, some governments sporadically impose bans on these workers, hindering their crucial role in community health.
HRW emphasises the necessity for African governments to cease the marginalisation of traditional birth attendants. Instead, these governments should embrace and support these essential caregivers. This support should include adequate compensation and resources, ensuring their pivotal role in community health and maternal care is recognised within formal healthcare systems.
The recognition and fair compensation of traditional birth attendants is critical not only for acknowledging the significant role they play in community health but also for fostering a more robust and inclusive national healthcare framework. HRW urges African governments to take proactive measures in supporting and integrating these crucial caregivers within their healthcare systems for the betterment of maternal healthcare across the continent.