A mother names her newborn daughter after the doctor who delivered her. A midwife walks into a refugee camp and stands between a laboring woman and death. A displaced mother transforms her own struggle into a passion for helping others, becoming a lifeline for women in her community. These aren’t extraordinary exceptions — they are the everyday reality of what happens when women are empowered to care for women. 

On March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day — 115 years of advocacy, courage, and hard-won progress toward a world where every woman is seen, valued, and cared for. At Medical Teams International, this day carries a particular weight. Because for us, empowering women isn’t a once-a-year celebration. It’s the work we do every single day — in refugee camps, displacement settlements, and under-resourced communities where women are often the most vulnerable. 

This year, we want to introduce you to some of the extraordinary women at the heart of our work: the providers who show up, the survivors who rise, and the women who inspire us to keep going. 

 

THE POWER OF COMPASSIONATE CARE 

After fleeing her home in Khartoum, Katrina found safety, comfort, and compassionate care in the hands of women who understood her. A dedicated midwife and female doctor guided her through labor and delivery, ensuring both mother and baby survived and thrived. So moved by their care, Katrina named her newborn daughter Jackline — after the doctor who helped bring her into the world. 

 

Research shows that a provider’s empathy and compassion are directly linked to how likely a patient is to follow their healthcare advice — clearly, compassionate healthcare is better and more effective healthcare. When it comes to the incredible women who provide healthcare for Medical Teams, we think of their deep capacity for empathy and compassion as a superpower.  

 

“I am really grateful for [my midwife] Seham and the rest of Medical Teams. Without their help, my daughter wouldn’t be alive,” added Katrina. 

 

THE POWER OF ANSWERING THE CALL 

Every day, nearly 830 women die from preventable pregnancy-related causes — most in the very places where healthcare is hardest to reach. In refugee camps and under-resourced communities, midwives like Daphine step into that critical gap, standing between life and death for mothers who have already survived so much. Well-trained midwives can deliver 90% of all essential sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health services. Yet they account for only 10% of the global health workforce due to a lack of investment and support.  

 

“When I run into the mothers I’ve helped to deliver, they say, ‘Come see how your baby has grown,’ and this fills me with joy. I feel like I’ve made a big impact on someone’s life,” Daphine shares. 

 

THE POWER OF TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE 

Mahalnesh was an internally displaced mother of 2 who turned her challenging experiences into a passion for helping others in her IDP camp. After receiving the support she and her family needed to stabilize themselves after their arduous journey to safety, Mahalnesh was selected and trained by our staff in the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) program. She now volunteers as a peer educator in the camp, teaching fellow displaced mothers about topics like breastfeeding, how to safely prepare complementary foods, and child nutrition.  

 

When we invest in resilient, committed, and empathetic women like Mahalnesh, we expand the reach and impact of the medical care we provide to other women. Empower one, nourish many.  

 

THE POWER OF HELPING WOMEN MAKE INFORMED HEALTHCARE CHOICES 

It was through the Village Health Team that Arok first learned about the importance of immunization. They taught her essential childcare skills, particularly how to care for her baby from birth to 2 years old. With their encouragement, she agreed to vaccinate her child, an important decision that would ensure her son’s health and survival. 

 

With each visit to the health center, Arok felt empowered by the compassionate care she received from the medical team, growing more confident as a mother. Her experience has inspired her to speak at community engagements, particularly to educate pregnant mothers about the importance of immunization. She believes that sharing her story could save lives, just as the VHT and Medical Teams helped her protect her own child. 

 

“I agreed to the vaccination to protect my child from diseases so he can stay healthy and thrive,” she shared.