The two midwives Endal (62) and Weläla (26) and the pregnant Hulu (25) look to the future. They strive for a future in which the law passed by the Ethiopian government in 2004 – which claims that women have the right to state protection against harmful traditions – will finally be implemented in Megendi. Despite the policies of setting up rural health centers to reduce the high mortality rate of live births and prohibiting homebirth, traditions such as female circumcision and child marriage remain present. Many women feel as if their personal needs during pregnancy and birth are not catered for by the government. There are obvious patriarchal structures in the village, but the profession of midwifery turns everything upside down. This is where women are in charge. The critical questioning of socially assigned roles for women runs through all three narrative strands, and together they form a documentary that exemplifies three self-confident women in a society experiencing radical change.

The film aims to reach rural farming communities, urban areas, and healthcare professionals in Ethiopia and other regions grappling with maternal mortality. It follows a young expectant mother, a traditional birth attendant, and a medically trained midwife, highlighting the contrasts in midwifery and health system challenges. The film fosters dialogue and emotional connections, bridging gaps in a sector dominated by hierarchies. Early community screenings have shown its potential to engage mothers, midwives, and traditional birth attendants all together to reduce maternal mortality. With dubbed versions in various African languages and adaptations for communities with visually and hearing-impairment, we aim for broad outreach.