Sweden will provide $10 million to the UN Population Fund to strengthen the quality and access to midwives and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services (SRHR) in Bangladesh, including in the most remote areas affected by climate change.

UNFPA and Sweden signed a new partnership for the period of 2022-2026 at the Swedish embassy in Dhaka in the presence of Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde and UNFPA Representative in Dhaka Kristine Blokhus.

Currently, around 2,550 midwives are deployed by the government and 300 by NGOs, and they serve in crises including floods, cyclones, and in refugee situations.

They provide lifesaving support and SRHR services with innovative methods such as telemedicine, but more midwives are needed to give safe and accessible care to mothers and children in Bangladesh.

Through the Swedish funding, UNFPA aims to equip Bangladesh's health system with competent and empowered midwives to ensure that women and girls can access the gender-transformative healthcare.

In a statement, Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde said, "Sweden has a long history of midwifery and has supported Bangladesh midwives for over a decade. We are pleased to continue working with UNFPA and the Government of Bangladesh to further strengthening midwifery led care in the country."

"We hope that this new four-year project will improve the education of midwives and the quality and access to SRHR-services, to make health care environmentally resilient, and ultimately improve the health of women and children in Bangladesh."

Kristine Blokhus said with the new one partnership, UNFPA and Swedish government begin a new chapter in long partnership.

"Together we will continue our support to the Government of Bangladesh in ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, and every childbirth is safe," she said.