From Training to Employment: Strengthening Somalia's Midwifery Workforce

SORDI, in collaboration with the EQUAL Research Consortium and the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health, recently presented findings from a longitudinal cohort study examining the transition from midwifery training into employment in Somalia. The research highlights the challenges midwives face as they move from the classroom into the health system. The study identified a persistent gap between training and workforce absorption: despite a growing number of trained midwives, many struggle to secure employment, hindered by weak early-career support systems and structural barriers that affect both retention and the quality of maternal and newborn care. The presentation convened stakeholders across the midwifery ecosystem, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, Benadir Regional Administration universities, professional associations, and hospitals. Participants agreed that strengthening midwifery outcomes requires deliberate, system-level action, and committed to concrete steps to improve workforce absorption, enhance early-career support, and foster stronger coordination across institutions. SORDI remains committed to advancing research that informs policy, supports practitioners, and strengthens Somalia's health system for the benefit of mothers and families across the country.