Social Work

Midwives

Midwives are leaders in their communities

They are also a reference for empowerment in the rural communities in which they are located. They encourage women to exercise, without prejudice, their fundamental right to family planning and to become masters of their futures.

For this reason, the World Health Organization and other organizations have given greater weight to capacity development in midwifery programs.

At MSI Foundation we train more than 470 midwives, midwives and health promoters on sexual and reproductive rights so that they in turn share this knowledge in their communities. We also support them in the use and management of contraceptives, including the placement of subdermal implants and intrauterine devices (IUD), prevention of unwanted pregnancies, medical assistance and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

In this way, women in rural and difficult-to-access areas obtain reliable information about their sexual and reproductive rights, contraceptive methods, as well as supplies.

Problem we solve

Midwives provide health services as they have done since ancient Mesoamerica. Their knowledge and skills are reinforced generation after generation, being the first instance of health in their communities and the only support that thousands of women and families resort to in the most marginalized areas of our country.

For this reason, we join their work with the development of new skills and medical supplies that contribute to minimizing the risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections and unwanted pregnancies.

How do we do it?

  • The network is currently in 103 municipalities in the states of: Guerrero, Oaxaca, Morelos, Puebla, Michoacán and Chiapas.
  • The Midwives Program is made up of people who, in addition to speaking Spanish, speak indigenous languages such as Zapoteco, Tseltal, Tsotsil and Tlapaneco, in this way information on sexual and reproductive health is correctly transmitted.
  • We distribute medical and contraceptive supplies so that midwives and community health providers can offer quality Sexual and Reproductive Health services at very affordable prices.
Reina Hernández Núñez

Villa Hidalgo, Chiapas, has dedicated 70 years to midwifery, she is currently 95 years old.

“My mind does not forget all the women I helped.”

Petrona E. Gómez López

Nenton, Guatemala, 23 years as a midwife.

“I began training in sexual and reproductive health after my son was born 23 years ago, since I wanted both my children and my grandchildren to be born well.”

Juana Tadeo Velázquez

Comitán, Chiapas, has been practicing midwifery for 47 years, she inherited midwifery knowledge from her grandmother and mother. She speaks the Tojolabal language and provides care to indigenous and non-indigenous women.

Rosario Salas López

She is originally from the Santa Martha neighborhood, municipality of La Independencia. In this community she provides 95% of community health care to the population, to nearby communities and localities in Guatemala.