NACPM believes in ensuring safe, high-quality, respectful care for all women and childbearing people and opposes their oppression and subjection to war and violence. We join the voices of protesters across the nation in the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. NACPM, a member association of the International Confederation of Midwives, stands in solidarity with midwives around the world in the demand for safety for all Israeli and Palestinian midwives, mothers, and babies.

According to data from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), there are more than 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza currently, 5,500 of whom are expected to give birth in the next month.

In Gaza, many midwives have not been able to reach maternity wards to provide care because of the dangers facing them on the way to work. They are also unable to do their jobs because of an overall danger to their lives, including at facilities, and a lack of resources, including water, electricity, and basic essentials for childbirth.

Health workers, including midwives, have been killed or injured during the violence. Those who remain in Gaza face an agonizing choice – either to abandon their patients or risk their own lives by staying. Overwhelmingly, health staff, including midwives, have chosen to stay and continue to provide lifesaving care.

Women who have been displaced from their homes and homeland are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual violence, unwanted pregnancies, and exposure to sexually transmitted infections. Additional risks include malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of maternity care, including psychological support before, during, and after childbirth.

The rights and well-being of women, newborns, and children must be upheld under all circumstances. NACPM calls for protecting civilian infrastructure and, above all, protecting the lives and well-being of health workers, including midwives, who are providing life-saving services.

NACPM supports the midwives serving their communities during this challenging time and recognizes the sufferings of pregnant women, children, and all vulnerable communities and is in alignment with ICM, WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UNRWA globally standing together to call for an end to the armed conflict and violence, restoration of essential infrastructure, protection and resourcing of health workers and health facilities. We also call for special attention to be given to actions that protect reproductive health, human rights, and access to health services. Please write your US state and federal representatives to support peace initiatives and to provide financial support to verified agencies offering humanitarian assistance to civilians on the ground.

For more information :

JOINT STATEMENT BY UNRWA, UNICEF, WHO AND UNFPA: WOMEN AND NEWBORNS BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE CONFLICT IN GAZA, UN AGENCIES WARN