PhD Health, 2020
Health Award
The 2000s were a time of extreme violence and inequality for Afghani women living under Taliban rule. After escaping to Iran before age of 2, Dr Sabera Turkmani returned home to Afghanistan in 2003 as a fresh midwifery graduate eager to help millions of women in need. For the next 12 years she worked with USAID, establishing midwifery practices throughout the country through initiatives such as the Afghan Midwives Association, the Afghan Midwifery & Nursing Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Act.
Her life-saving efforts helped increase the number of midwives in the country from 460 to 4,500, while the maternal mortality rate dropped from 1,800 per 100,000 births to 300. The program transformed lives – in myriad ways. With their new midwifery skills and knowledge, women who previously felt helpless and invisible instead became inspiring role models.
But Dr Turkmani realised she could have an even bigger impact if she combined her extensive experience in the field with research skills. So she moved to Australia to pursue a life in academia in 2013, when she began as a research assistant at UTS.
Her first project centred on female genital mutilation (FGM). The use of her findings around the world showed her the power of academia in action – the magnitude with which data can be shared with other organisations fighting for justice.
Dr Turkmani then pursued her PhD at UTS, exploring how to improve maternity care for FGM victims. Empowered by the university’s strong culture of guidance and support, she built the competency and confidence to make an impact on her own. She developed a range of training materials and eLearning content that women and health providers around Australia now use to provide culturally appropriate care to victims from various backgrounds.
Her work at UTS continues today with an exploration into the power of midwifery-led birthing centres in low-resource settings. Dr Turkmani is also sharing her knowledge and expertise working as a Research Fellow with Burnet Institute.
The publications and evidence-based reports I’ve been able to do are like my language to talk with the rest of the world – asking them to do something better for society.