Trusted Mentor Mother on a mission: Getrude changes HIV outcomes in her community

In Malawi, traditional birth attendants hold a unique position of trust within their communities. This video follows Gertrude, a former birth attendant who has become a mentor mother through the support of Coalition of Women Living with HIV/AIDS. Living with HIV herself, Gertrude uses her personal experience and deep community ties to promote safe motherhood and prevent vertical transmission of HIV.

Through home visits and sensitization meetings she reaches women most at risk of HIV, such as female sex workers. encouraging testing, treatment, and hope. The story of Ellen and her daughter Mary highlights the life-changing impact of Gertrude’s work and the growing awareness around HIV in the community.

The story is a powerful testament to how local leadership and compassion can transform maternal and child health outcomes and restore futures. Watch Gertrude’s story:

Traditional Birth Attendant intervention

The Coalition of Women Living with HIV and AIDS (COWLHA), with funding from Aidsfonds, began a new intervention in Mwanza District in August 2024. The intervention aims to improve maternal health and utilisation of HIV services by transforming the function of Traditional Birth Attendants from direct service delivery to referral agents and peer counsellors: mentor mothers.

From evaluation interviews, it has emerged that the intervention is enabling a major shift in Traditional Birth Attendants’ attitudes toward health workers and hospitals. From training, practical support, and joint operations, Traditional Birth Attendants have undergone a major transition from doubt and resistance to partnership and trust within the formal health system. This change is now viewed as imperative to facilitate improvement in maternal and child health outcomes and enhance HIV prevention and treatment in the community.