As told to Eya Mwenifumbo-Gondwe and Marissa Ware, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast My name is Jacqueline Mwase and I am 30 years old. I come from Chiudzira, Malawi and I am a member of the Lhomwe tribe. Earlier this morning, I gave birth to…

As told to Marissa Ware, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast What role does a birth certificate play in your life? It might not be something you think about often, but that little piece of paper plays a critical role from childhood throughout the rest of your…

As told to Stephanie Bowen, edited by Caroline Kinsella, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast My name is Sabina Jankovičová, I am a 43-year-old woman from Slovakia, and I have two children. Here in Slovakia, it is not possible to have anyone in the hospital with you…

As told to MamaBaby Haiti, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast My name is Marie* and I am from rural Haiti. My baby and I slept on the floor of the hospital in Haiti for 38 days because I couldn’t pay my bill. My baby died and…

As told to Tariah Adams, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast My name is Helen Abdul. I am from Niger State, Nigeria. I live in Chachanga Local Government Area of Niger State. I was pregnant with my second child in late September of last year. When I…

This is the story of Amber Rose Isaac, a Black 26-year-old soon to be first-time mother. As told to Marissa Ware, as part of the Brave Voices Podcast. Edited for length and clarity. Amber would always talk to me about maternal mortality and she would tell me these stories and…

As told to Sandra Mwarania, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast My name is Mercyline Ongachi, 21 years old. I come from Mukuru kwa Reuben. It’s a slum located in Embakasi South, in Nairobi, Kenya. I am a survivor of maternal violence. On Sunday, 25th August…

As told by Rose Mlay to Marissa Ware, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast Rose Mlay is a Tanzanian midwife who has dedicated her life to helping mothers and newborns. But the abuses she saw women suffer through during pregnancy and childbirth led her to found a…

As told to Stephanie Bowen, edited by Nina Wright, as part of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast My name is Monique Lacombe, I was born and raised in Montreal Quebec, Canada. I have a husband of ten years and two sons who are eight and four years. My first…