“Indigenous Peoples account for over 6 per cent of the world’s population. They are guardians of cultural heritage, stewards of vital ecosystems and crucial contributors to our shared future.
Yet, across the globe, their rights and well-being face disproportionate threats. Some of the starkest relate to maternal and infant health, with complications and deaths far more prevalent than among the wider population.
That is why, on this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we celebrate Indigenous midwives. Evidence shows that they improve outcomes for mothers and babies, strengthen trust in health systems and ensure continuity of care. As knowledge holders and leaders, they also help preserve the languages, values and practices that sustain Indigenous cultures across generations.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs is hosting a Virtual Commemoration: Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.
