Rural women and childbirth in Bangladesh: the social cultural context
Islam, S.
Gender and the household domain social and cultural dimensions: 233-254
1989
Document Number: 275346
The paper considers three case studies of traditional village midwives in Bangladesh. The 'barefoot' obstetricians play a crucial role between the health care system and rural households. There is uniformity in the nature of perceptions and practices of the midwives and diversity in their roles. Contrary to popular opinion, the midwives do not exist in a vacuum. They are reservoirs of knowledge, skill and belief which are not appreciated in the context of health care planning. The midwives learn, practise and transmit their knowledge and skill informally for pregnant women to utilize in their daily health care needs.