This week, NPR highlighted an 18 month midwifery education program in Badakhshan Province’s Shatak village (Afghanistan). Funded by USAID, an independent federal government agency, and implemented Jhpiego, the program was created to address the poor quality of the village’s maternal health care. In 2004, the village lost 54 mothers and 46 newborns, but with the introduction of this new midwifery model, the health care in the village has improved greatly. The proof, two babies passed away as compared to 46 as was reported before.

“These women are like guardian angels for infants and mothers.”
Zafaran Natiqi, head of women’s affairs in Badakhshan.

Normally, due to Afghanistan’s culture, young and married women are unable to work outside of their homes. Fortunately, the village elders are in support of this program and their women. They actively participate in the selection of midwife candidates from within their community.

Learning that the elders of this community are breathing life and encouragement into such a program, reminds me of an organization I just learned of called The Elder’s organization. The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. One of the organizations mission is to gain equality for women and girls around the globe.

I was watching this clip below by former president Jimmy Carter last week and after reading the NPR article, I see, even more so than before, the importance of support and wisdom from such a generation’s counsel and advocacy. It seems that a new breath of coherence is taking place in the world.

After wrapping up its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, the new film Genpin is now in competition for the prestigious Golden Shell award at the San Sebastián Film Festival. Award-winning Japanese director Naomi Kawase says of her film,

“I only wanted to show that there are other ways of giving birth” and that “giving life is not necessarily a synonym for suffering, it is also a pleasure.”

Kawase also created the film,“Tarachime -birth/mother-”, which examines the ties of one life to another, based on her own experience of childbirth in 2006 .

Genpin, is being hailed as an artful reflection of the beauty of birth and follows the Japanese obstetrician Dr. Tadashi Yoshimura in his life and practice. In is 40-year career, Dr. Yoshimura has attended 20,000 natural births.

The title, “Genpin,” derives from the words of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “The valley spirit never dies. It is named the mysterious woman (genpin).”

This film is a celebration the beauty of birth and hopefully the artful package that this story is told in will be powerful enough to create a shift in the current mainstream perception of birth. I have not yet seen this film yet, but hope it makes its way to NYC soon so that I can. If any one has attended a screening during a recent festival, please share your thoughts on the film.

I just came across this tech fab company, Belly Armor. Created to protect children in the womb and newborn children against the risks of everyday radiation, the Belly Armor product line integrates a RadiaShield® lining within its blankets and t-shirts. This technology shields 99.9% of incoming radiation from penetrating the womb and it has been verified by an independent FCC-certified laboratory testing report.

The World Health Organization, the European Commission, FCC, and the Environmental Working Group— have found strong enough evidence of potential risks from radiation exposure to recommend precautionary measures. Research has shown several potential health hazards during pregnancy from radiation, include birth defects and genetic disruptions, miscarriages, autism, childhood leukemia, and cancer. It is highly recommended to take more precaution around such radiation emitters in general, but especially if you are carrying a baby.

“It is essential that exposure limits be implemented in order to protect against the established adverse effects of exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields.”
World Health Organization’s Environmental Health Criteria 238: Extremely Low Frequency Fields

Aside from being machine washable (air dry only), the Belly Armor products are ideal for both home and the office. They are a must for an expectant mother or new parent. Quite frankly, I think this product can me a staple to help protect and sustain both female and male reproductive areas in general. Non-ionizing radiation, the type Belly Armor shields, is prevalent in our daily lives and is emitted by cell phones, PDAs, laptops / computers, mp3 players / portable media devices, televisions, and power lines.

“Results of epidemiologic studies to date give no consistent or convincing evidence of a causal relation between exposure from radio frequency fields (RFs) and any adverse health effect. On the other hand, these studies have too many deficiencies to rule out an association. Despite the ubiquity of new technologies using radio frequency fields, little is known about population exposure from RF sources, and even less about the relative importance of different sources.”
International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection literature review

The Belly Armor factories adhere to GMP standards (Good Manufacturing Practices) and their packaging is made with recycled paper. Also included in their CSR structure, a portion of all Belly Armor proceeds goes towards programs for promoting women’s pre-natal health. Prices range from $59-$109 and are a available to purchase online or at participating retailers.

This past Monday, I had the fortunate, thought provoking experience of attending the first annual WIE: Women Inspiration and Enterprise Symposium. The event was spearheaded and hosted by a phenomenal triad of women including Sarah Brown (on behalf of the White Ribbon Alliance(WRA)), Donna Karen and Arianna Huffington. The symposium was held to coincide with a United Nations review summit on the Millennium Development Goals which is also being held this week in New York.

The focus of the symposium was to highlight the work of the White Ribbon Alliance, advocates and leaders around the globe who are making a difference. The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood is an international coalition of individuals and organizations formed to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns in the developing, as well as, developed countries.

Participants left touched, inspired, empowered and motivated to make a change for girls and women around the globe. Special guest speakers included Melinda Gates, Queen Rania of Jordan and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Director of the Department of State’s new office on Global Women’s Issues and the list goes on to cover more than 40 impressive women. Click here to read more about the participants/panelist.

Many young innovators and entrepreneurs were honored at the event, but I would like to highlight the WIE winner for Creative Vision particularly. Christy Turlington Burns won this deserving award for her film, No Woman, No Cry. In this piece, she shares powerful stories of at-risk pregnant women in four parts of the world, including a remote Maasai tribe in Tanzania, a slum of Bangladesh, a post-abortion care ward in Guatemala, and a prenatal clinic in the United States. It is her passion to increase awareness and support for maternal health around the globe so that we as humanity can collectively end unnecessary deaths due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

After the panels and the awards show, Donna Karen along with other designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Chloe and Vera Wang to name a few, presented a fashion show in honor of the White Ribbon Alliance. All garments are available for bidding on Charity Buzz. The proceeds will benefit the WRA. The evening was capped off by an uplifting performance by Estelle.