According to the authorities, 80 per cent of all women in Southern Sudan give birth at home, without the help of a midwife, and  the region suffers from one of the highest maternal death rates in the world.

Midwives play a critical role in delivering antenatal care for pregnant women and assisting physicians in the process of delivery. UNFPA supports the Government of Uzbekistan in improving maternal health services.

This slideshow with music explores the ways in which the UNFPA mandate can contribute to making a world of 7 Billion successful for everyone.

Watch testimonials of midwives from developing countries talking about the challenges they face in their daily life-saving work.

The Birth of South Sudan

Watch testimonials of midwives from developing countries talking about the challenges they face in their daily life-saving work.

An excerpt from Article 1, read on 9 July 2011 with photos courtesy of Barbara Davidson/LA Times.  Many challenges lie ahead in South Sudan. One of the poorest countries in the world, its maternal mortality rate is the highest on the planet. UNFPA is helping to train midwives across the country to ensure safe births.

Watch testimonials of midwives from developing countries talking about the challenges they face in their daily life-saving work.

Watch testimonials of midwives from developing countries talking about the challenges they face in their daily life-saving work.

Watch testimonials of midwives from developing countries talking about the challenges they face in their daily life-saving work.