On the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, marked annually on 23 May, we are taking a look at the important role of midwives and tuning in to UN Radio’s featurette from 1963, The Magic Suitcase, narrated by Hollywood star Jack Benny.

The radio and television entertainer joined the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the 1960s to raise awareness about reproductive health care and the key role midwives played around the world, especially where child mortality was high.

Mr. Benny takes listeners to Thailand, following the story of a family and the joyous birth of a healthy baby after a local midwife arrived on her bicycle with her own magic suitcase.

Part of UNICEF’s programme to help women give birth safely included training midwives and shipping what Mr. Benny referred to as “magic suitcases” around the world.