The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) is proud to announce the launch of the SMILES Project—Somali Midwives for Improving Lives and Enhancing Sexual and Reproductive Health. This ambitious five-year initiative, led by CARE Canada in collaboration with local and international partners, is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and builds on the success of the previous SMEPS project.
SMILES aims to strengthen midwifery and sexual and reproductive health services across Somalia and Somaliland, with a focus on adolescent girls and underserved communities.
“We are very excited for this project. It will have a very big impact on our ability to deliver care to women in Somalia,” says Marian, a young midwife from Mogadishu.
The project takes a holistic approach to improving health outcomes by:
- Increasing the availability of qualified midwives through support to midwifery schools delivering high-quality, rights-based, gender-responsive education.
- Strengthening midwifery associations and government systems to advocate for and advance gender-responsive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
- Enhancing professional development through mentorship, continuing education, and in-service support.
- Expanding community awareness and demand for SRHR services through outreach to adolescent girls, displaced persons, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities.
- Promoting inclusive, community-based health services that are accessible, culturally safe, and responsive to the needs of women and girls.
Project Reach
SMILES will directly benefit over 335,000 people, including:
- Women and girls in rural, marginalized, and displaced communities.
- 538 midwives (students, in-service, and community-based),
- 100 midwifery tutors and 40 clinical instructors,
- 40 SRHR professionals,
- And leadership from three midwifery associations: SLNMA, SOMA, and PAM.
Learn more about the SMILES Project and CAM’s global work here:
