Join Us: ICM Seeks Your Insights on Health Workers as Defenders of the Right to Health

ICM recently shared insights about midwifery services and the challenges they face globally. These challenges stem from different legal and professional rules that affect how midwifery can grow and be accessed.

In some countries, strong regulations ensure safety and quality. However, in others, especially in Morocco and Ethiopia, regulations are weak. This can limit the education and resources available to midwives. Indigenous midwives also struggle with unique hurdles, such as the lack of accredited programs in Hawaii and closed programs in Canada.

Midwives often deal with strict laws that restrict their practice. This is especially true in conflict areas or places with tight abortion laws, like Afghanistan and parts of Europe. Gender biases, low pay, and limits on home births and abortion care are frequent issues. Obstetric violence is a human rights concern that adds to their difficulties, as many midwives lack the training to tackle these problems.

Despite these challenges, midwives are dedicated to advocating for the right to health. They provide vital care, especially in emergencies, but often without the necessary support or recognition from health systems. This limits their ability to deliver high-quality care.

Now, let’s talk about the Special Rapporteur for the Right to Health. This role is crucial in promoting health rights worldwide. The goal is to ensure that everyone can achieve their highest possible physical and mental health. Sadly, for many, especially those in vulnerable situations, this goal seems far off.

The Special Rapporteur’s mission includes:

• Gathering and sharing information about the right to health for everyone.
• Encouraging collaboration with governments, NGOs, and organizations like WHO and UNAIDS.
• Reporting on health rights, including successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
• Addressing specific cases of health rights violations.

The current Special Rapporteur is Ms. Tlaleng Mofokeng from South Africa. Appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2020, she is a doctor focused on universal health access, HIV care, youth-friendly services, and family planning.