Diyana was 15 years old when a group of armed members from the Islamic State entered her village at the foot of the Sinjar Mountains in northern Iraq. As they marched down the streets, Diyana squeezed into a rickety station wagon with twelve other family members and fled into the barren mountains.
On that journey there was also a young, heavily pregnant woman. Suddenly, her contractions began. In pain, the expectant mother cried out for a midwife, but no one answered.
In fear of death, completely exhausted and surrounded by women who did not know how to help, she gave birth on a rock under the burning sun. She survived, but her baby didn’t.
When conflict puts mothers and babies at risk
Around the world, mothers are disproportionately affected by conflict. Violence and insecurity make it unsafe or impossible for women to access healthcare services, even when they exist. Without quality maternal healthcare, women face greater risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
Too many lives are still lost. One in two women who die during pregnancy or childbirth are in conflict areas1.
For women giving birth, having access to a trained midwife can mean the difference between life and death. Skilled healthcare workers can identify complications, support safe deliveries and ensure mothers and newborns receive essential care before, during and after birth.
Becoming a midwife to never feel helpless again
After witnessing that experience, she decided that one day she would become a midwife so other women would not have to face childbirth without any assistance.
Nine years ago, Diyana completed her training as a midwife with the support of CARE. Through training local healthcare workers, CARE is helping improve access to maternal healthcare in communities affected by conflict and displacement.
Since qualifying as a midwife, Diyana has assisted more than 800 women during childbirth, helping mothers and babies access the care they need.
Diyana is one of the Yazidi women who fled genocide in 2014. Although the Islamic State group no longer controls the region, up to 80 per cent of the infrastructure is still destroyed, insecurity remains and various armed groups continue to operate in the area.
The trauma still haunts her community. “Many women of my people are still severely traumatised by displacement, murder, rape and the terrible genocide twelve years ago,” says Diyana.
They should at least feel safe during childbirth, have someone with them who speaks their language, and understands their concerns. That’s why I became a midwife.
Returning home
Up to 180,000 Yazidis live as internally displaced persons in the Autonomous Regions of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, including Diyana’s parents and siblings. Many continue to live in temporary shelters that become extremely hot in summer and very cold during winter.
For Diyana, that changed nine months ago, when she married Aziz, and the couple decided to return to her village to start their life together there. Returning home was both emotional and hopeful.
Diyana works in the general hospital for three days and nights non-stop several times a month. Nevertheless, she does not see herself as a hero.
“The often very young women I help to give birth to their babies are courageous. They live permanently in the village despite the insecurity and widespread destruction. Being there for them during childbirth is the least I can do for them,” says Diyana.
On average, around ten babies are born every day at the hospital where Diyana works, and many expectant Yazidi mothers undertake a long and arduous journey to give birth here. They know they will be supported before, during and after the birth by well-trained Yazidi midwives like Diyana.
Being able to help bring a new life into the world and receiving the gratitude of the mothers is the most wonderful reward for my often exhausting but always beautiful work.
Diyana feels safe living in her village with her husband and looks forward to starting a family one day. For now, they have chosen to wait as they continue to establish their future together.
Your support could be the difference between life and death for pregnant women. Please give now.
