The picture of the week
Breaking barriers in birth rooms: male midwives redefine care in Rajasthan, India
2025-09-03
When Seema first saw a man in pink scrubs at the antenatal clinic, she hesitated. Could she trust a male midwife to support her through one of the most intimate and vulnerable moments of her life?
Minutes later, as midwife Pukhraj gently guided her through her check-up, that hesitation dissolved into trust. What she felt wasn’t just professionalism—it was empathy. A connection. And a deep sense of being seen, heard, and respected.
This is the quiet revolution unfolding in Rajasthan.
With support from UNFPA and the Government of Rajasthan, the Midwifery Services Initiative is not only introducing a new cadre of midwives trained in respectful, evidence-based care—it is also challenging long-held gender norms.
Male midwives, proudly wearing pink, are:
- Redefining what caregiving looks like
- Building trust with fathers and families
- Normalizing male involvement in reproductive health
- Making every woman feel safe, supported, and empowered
One woman said it best:
“At first, I wasn’t sure about having a male midwife. But his pink scrubs melted away my doubts.”
Midwifery today is not just about deliveries—it's about dignity, consent, comfort, and emotional support.
This inclusive model of care is setting a new standard for India—and the world.
Because childbirth should not be about fear or formality.
It should be about compassion, confidence, and care that transcends gender.