UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund

Purpose

This project will improve maternal, newborn and reproductive health outcomes for women, girls and newborns from marginalized populations, in particular indigenous communities, living in the Sierra Machiques de Perijá and Maracaibo (state of Zulia). The UN notes that access to sexual and reproductive health care is essential for empowerment, safety, gender equality, and to reduce poverty [2]. The project aims to foster gender equality through targeted interventions to improve maternal, newborn and reproductive health outcomes. Project components will: � Improve provision of quality, gender responsive, culturally appropriate and environmentally sound maternal, newborn and reproductive health services in targeted health centers and hospitals � Engage community agents, including indigenous midwives, so to enhance maternal, newborn and reproductive health needs in target communities � Be informed by the Canadian model of midwifery care: the model recognizes midwives as empowered community-based primary health care providers who respect the self-determination of women and girls while relying on evidence based clinical decision-making capacities, promoting health rights and valuing local and culturally relevant practices � Address all women and girls of reproductive age, with particular attention to meeting the needs of indigenous women and girls in the project’s target area � Improve the provision of a range of sexual and reproductive health services: family planning, prenatal and postnatal care, labour and delivery support, and the management of emergencies � Engage project partners (UNFPA, CAM and NACM) and project collaborators (clinical agents; community health agents, including indigenous midwives, community health workers and community leaders), with an understanding that diverse and complementary health resources can be leveraged for the advancement of health services, particularly in times of crisis.