In Pakistan, 154 women die for every 100,000 live births—a high maternal mortality rate shaped by socio-economic status, barriers to healthcare access in rural areas, and limited decision-making power, especially among young women. 

Evidence indicates that midwives can play a critical role in helping reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. They can also strengthen the provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights services more broadly, and there is a clear need to invest in their education, training, regulation, and working environments.