“My name is Latifah Baktash and I am in charge of the Midwife School in Dai Kundi province,” announced the midwife principal as onlookers seated in blue lawn chairs listened attentively during the first Midwife graduation ceremony.

“I have been a practicing midwife for nine years,” remarked Baktash. “Five years ago, I was a teacher at a midwife school in the Samangan District. I know how badly the people of Dai Kundi need midwives and I’m honored to be an integral part of the schools development.”

“The Midwife School was requested by the people, for the people,” continued Baktash. “Our goal is to train the midwives with modern information and technology so they can serve all pregnant mothers and save lives. The Ministry of Health built this school and encouraged women to attend. Now, we have fifteen students graduating and we hope to have more in the future.”

The first Midwife graduation, Oct. 20, was a huge success. Representatives from Coalition forces and from different news stations attended the ceremony along with over a hundred civilians. The school continues to recruit midwives and hopes to graduate another class of educated women by December.

“The Midwife School is unique in Dai Kundi because of the Hazara population, which is progressive towards women,” explained an Army Captain working with the program. “Not only does this school provide a valuable education, it also represents Afghanistan’s attempt to legitimize and increase equal rights.”

DVIDS
Story by Sgt. Debra Richardson