Report on Swedish support to the professionalisation of midwives and midwifery in Bangladesh

This report aims to document and contextualise the role and contribution of Sweden as a major and long-term donor and development partner in professionalising midwives and midwifery in Bangladesh. It describes the rationale for the key policy decision to address maternal and neonatal mortality and transform maternal health care through the strategic investment in midwives. It stresses the importance of long-term commitment, strong partnerships and national leadership while examining success factors for capacity development and policy change. Finally, it outlines some opportunities for the continued support to sustain gains made and enable a system of midwife-led care. The report focuses on the period 2005-2022 and is based on scientific papers, development reports and interviews with donors, and implementing partners. It also draws on the author’s experience as a JPO midwife in UNFPA, Bangladesh 2005-2007 and subsequent work in Health, Education and SRHR in the Swedish International Development Agency, (Sida) 2008-2012 and UNFPA headquarters 2017-2022.