Fudia gave birth with a local TBA (traditional birth attendant) a short walk from the house. During the delivery she lost a lot of blood and felt very weak. After three days we took her to the hospital (a small privately run Arab clinic).

Orphaned sisters Jamila (pictured right) and Samia (pictured left) set to work in their grandmother's kitchen. Both had to leave school earlier this year in order to take more responsibility in the home following the death of their mother Ayla during childbirth.

Ashwa is one of 19 girls from the Sah district who is taking part in the 2 year Midwifery training course provided by Oxfam.

I was six months pregnant when the Taliban movement in Swat gained its full momentum. Sharia law was not new to us. However, Taliban rule was like a scary dream, especially for women, because we lost our freedom of movement and had to stay at home. Women in Swat were only able to leave their homes accompanied by a male relative, with their bodies hidden in veils.

Maimouna Faye's life was at risk in her 15th pregnancy. She survived because her husband and community supported her; she had information and transport - and because health workers within a linked up system provided the care she needed.