UNFPA in Arab States

Every woman deserves more than a safe delivery. She deserves to be seen, heard, and respected. Midwives make childbirth a moment of care, trust, and choice. Yet across the #Arab region, there are far too few midwives to meet women’s needs, putting lives, dignity, and continuity of care at risk. Join UNFPA in Arab States in calling for urgent investment in midwives—because when midwives are present, care is transformed, and women thrive. Start with her. Invest in midwives. Transform care. #InvestInMidwives #IDM2026 #MaternalHealth

Investing in midwives saves lives and strengthens maternal and newborn health. The Arab Regional Midwifery Advisory Group (ARMAG) invites you to a regional webinar marking the 2026 International Day of the Midwife, under the theme “One Million More Midwives,” highlighting the urgent need to expand the midwifery workforce and ensure quality care for every family across the Arab region. 🗓️ 14 May 2026 | ⏰ 3:00–4:30 p.m. EEST 🌐 Simultaneous English/Arabic interpretation Scan the QR code to register. #IDM2026 #OneMillionMoreMidwives #InvestInMidwives

Despite their essential, life-saving role in protecting the health of women, newborns, and families, many midwives—most of them women—continue to face chronic underinvestment, persistent gender-related barriers, and limited opportunities for leadership and decision-making within health systems. This lack of recognition not only affects the profession itself, but also limits the quality, accessibility, and continuity of care for communities across the region. This #IDM2026, it is time to shift this reality and ensure that midwives in the Arab region move from the margins to the centre of health systems—where their expertise is valued, their voices are heard, and their leadership is fully enabled. #InvestInMidwives #OneMillionMoreMidwives

“Even during labour, I was afraid.” In the #WestBank, women are giving birth amid sirens, violence, and severe movement restrictions. Through UNFPA-supported mobile health clinics, lifesaving care is reaching women where hospitals are unsafe or inaccessible — restoring dignity, safety, and support when it matters most. No woman should fear giving birth. Read the full story ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dtwk7KPt

Women and girls in #Lebanon are facing the heaviest toll of conflict. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is on the ground providing life-saving health care, protection, and support—but the scale of need is immense. Every day of inaction puts more lives at risk.

Conflict in #Lebanon, #Syria, #Iraq, #Yemen, and #Palestine puts over 18 million women and girls at risk. In the past twelve months, more than 101 Women and Girls Safe Spaces have closed, limiting access to life-saving services. Despite the tireless work of organizations supporting survivors, response capacity is falling behind need. At least $70 million is urgently needed to restore services as displacement, economic collapse, and insecurity increase exposure to violence. Read the full report ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dcHEwMdD

Gender-blind conflict responses in the 2026 #MiddleEast crisis are failing women and girls. 5 weeks into the escalation, the realities facing 161 million women and girls in conflict-affected areas remain largely invisible in analysis, humanitarian action, and funding. From rising gender-based violence and disrupted maternal health services to lost livelihoods and growing unpaid care burdens, these are life-saving issues — not side concerns. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) urges governments, donors, and partners to integrate gender into all conflict analysis, protect and fund sexual and reproductive health and gender-based services, support women-led organizations, and ensure women’s leadership in recovery and peacebuilding. Read more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/d--RHYex

Across the #MiddleEast, conflict responses remain gender-blind—leaving the disproportionate impacts on women and girls invisible. From rising gender-based violence and maternal health risks to lost livelihoods and unpaid care burdens, these realities are too often excluded from core decision-making. More than 161 million women and girls live in conflict-affected countries. Protecting them—and investing in their leadership—is essential to effective humanitarian response, recovery, and peace. We call on governments, donors, UN agencies, and civil society to embed gender in all conflict analysis, fund lifesaving services, and support women-led responses. Making women and girls visible is not optional—it is essential. Know more: https://lnkd.in/gMfkAz2t

Protecting our daughters means choosing care and compassion—not practices that cause lifelong harm. Our children are a trust in our care. Let our love protect them, not harm them. Female genital mutilation is violence. Full stop. It violates the rights, dignity, and bodily autonomy of girls. No tradition can make it acceptable. Ending female genital mutilation takes more than laws. It takes courage, awareness, and a shift in social norms. Survivors, fathers, and community leaders are speaking out to protect the next generation and challenge harmful practices. Together, UNFPA in Arab States and UNICEF Middle East and North Africa work with communities so every girl can grow up safe, healthy, and empowered.  #EndFGM. https://lnkd.in/daKiWhnu

Newborns should not start life in displacement. Just days old, babies like Ali and Fatima are living in overcrowded shelters in #Lebanon—sleeping on the floor, with unsafe sanitation and serious health risks. Their mothers fled while heavily pregnant, carrying fear instead of certainty. More than 1.2 million people, including 13,500 pregnant women, have been displaced. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is on the ground providing life-saving maternal care, mobile health services, and essential supplies—but needs are growing fast. Every mother deserves safe care. Every newborn deserves a healthy start. https://lnkd.in/drnExnW6