Kenya’s NGEC Pushes for Inclusion of Indigenous Midwives in Maternal Health System
The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) is calling for indigenous midwives to be integrated into Kenya’s formal health system, according to KDRTV. The proposal, the Commission argues, would help close persistent gaps in maternal care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Maternal health context in Kenya
Kenya has long faced challenges in maternal health outcomes, with women in remote and marginalised regions often experiencing limited access to skilled birth attendants. While the country has invested in training professional midwives and nurses, large parts of the population — particularly those in arid and semi-arid counties — continue to rely on traditional birth attendants who have served their communities for generations.
The NGEC, established as a constitutional commission under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, is mandated to promote gender equality and the protection of marginalised groups. Its current push reflects concerns that excluding indigenous midwives from the formal health framework risks sidelining women who already play a central role in childbirth within their communities.
A push for integration
According to KDRTV, the Commission is advocating for a more inclusive approach that recognises the experience of traditional midwives while linking them to the wider health system. Proponents of such integration argue that formal training, recognition and referral partnerships could improve birth outcomes without displacing trusted community practitioners.
The debate over how best to blend traditional knowledge with modern healthcare continues across the region, where maternal mortality remains a pressing concern. Kenya’s move, if taken forward, would add a new chapter to that discussion.
Sources
This report was written from coverage published by the following news organisations. Follow the links for the original reporting.
