Problem

Maternal mortality rates in Chiapas and Oaxaca are almost double that of the national rates. 30 – 40% of adult women in these areas are victims of abuse. There are no formal hospitals or domestic violence agencies in these rural areas, but all women see a partera (midwife) for health care during their pregnancies. Midwives are situated to help women struggling with abuse during pregnancy, a leading cause of maternal complications, injury, and death.

The Gift

Your gift to sponsor a midwife will ensure that she receives the proper training and education necessary to appropriately and safely support her clients, pregnant Mexican women. The training program that traditional midwives go through is necessary in order to reinforce special information and skills regarding violence in the home. In addition, your gift will promote networking and alliance-building between midwives and healthcare providers in nearby communities, and it will help document the effectiveness of this project along with areas for improvement. Your gift of sponsoring a midwife for one pregnant women will be supported by the Family Violence Prevention Fund.