Yesuf’s Story: Contraceptive Training Supports Midwives in Ethiopia

By Gashaw Abebe Alemu, Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed, Wondimu Chirfa Tolera, Gizachew Balew Jembere, Kate O’Connell, Danielle Garfinkel

The Reach, Expand, and Access Community Health (REACH) program in Ethiopia’s Jimma and Borena zones aims to ensure access to information and services for integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights, menstrual hygiene management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) services for women and young people.

Through program initiatives, we are addressing barriers to services faced by women and young people in underserved areas and fostering an environment where they can access high-quality care.

Gubidora is one of the health centers found in the Yallo Woreda of the Afar Region in Ethiopia. It has faced numerous challenges since the onset of the northern Ethiopia conflict in November 2020 through November 2022 when the conflict subsided. Internal displacement and casualties created a significant burden on health service provision, and looting decimated the facility’s medical equipment, drugs, supplies, furniture, and documents. Furthermore, most SRH services, particularly comprehensive contraceptive services, were interrupted, resulting in unintended pregnancies in many women, which can lead to unsafe abortion. 

Strengthening Health Systems Through Training and Outreach

Yesuf is a midwife working in the maternal and child health department at the Gubidora health center.  After EngenderHealth provided Yesuf with comprehensive contraceptive counseling training, he met with the health center management team and discussed the training he took, how to revitalize the family planning (FP) services in their center, and how to ensure access to services. He also helped establish a separate room for FP services in the facility to maintain clients’ privacy and quality of services.  

Yesuf also initiated a regular health education program at the health center for clients and patients. The health center used an outreach campaign twice a week in hard-to-reach kebeles like Wekredi and Rekrek, where they provided health education about the benefits of contraceptives and how to manage unintended pregnancy among the community and provided contraceptive options.  

“I was happy when EngenderHealth visited our health center to conduct baseline assessments to support us and initiate Family Planning, Post Partum Family Planning, and Post Abortion Family Planning services.

During the visit, I remember the service being provided to clients in previous years was interrupted before the assessment. The training helped me gain the necessary knowledge, attitude, and skills. I oriented all staff members, including medical and paramedical staff, on the comprehensive abortion care service, which is given free in our health center,” Yesuf said. 

Commitment to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is Crucial for a Better Future for All 

Yesuf’s story show us that while the ongoing conflict, drought, and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia disproportionately affects women and girls, strategic and ongoing support for sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal, newborn and child health, can be a beacon of hope for community members.

EngenderHealth’s contributions have led to life-changing, positive outcomes not only for individual women and girls but also for their families, communities, and the nation at large. As Ethiopia continues to navigate its complex challenges, sustained commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights efforts is crucial for fostering resilience and building a healthier, more equitable future for all Ethiopians. 

Read other inspiring stories from Ethiopia from our blog “Overcoming Barriers to SRHR in Ethiopia.”