UN Population Fund and Japan stress need to strengthen midwifery in Afghanistan

The United Nations Population Fund in Afghanistan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have stressed the need to strengthen the midwifery sector and address the health needs of mothers in Afghanistan at a meeting, a sector that, alongside other health services, still faces challenges in access and quality.

The United Nations Population Fund in Afghanistan said on its X account on Wednesday, 18 Sunbula, that the two organisations discussed improving reproductive health services across the country during the meeting. According to the agency, support for quality health services for women and girls was one of the main themes of the talks.

The statement said strengthening the capacity of the midwifery sector and improving families’ access to health services were also among the areas of cooperation between the two sides. No further details were given on how this cooperation would be implemented.

The talks come as access to quality health services remains difficult for women and families in Afghanistan. The United Nations Population Fund is one of the main agencies active in reproductive health and maternal support in Afghanistan, while JICA is Japan’s development cooperation arm.