Bibi Zahra Mirzaei is a maternal and newborn health specialist, midwife, and public health advocate with over 18 years of experience working across clinical, academic, and technical leadership roles. Trained in Afghanistan and currently based in the United States, Zahra has led pioneering efforts in midwifery education, health systems strengthening, and policy advocacy at both national and international levels.
Her career has spanned roles with Jhpiego/Johns Hopkins University, the Afghan Midwives Association, Aga Khan Health Services, and the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. Notably, she served as President of the Afghan Midwives Association (2019–2021), where she played a key role in establishing the Afghan Nurses and Midwives Council and launching Afghanistan’s first midwife-led maternity care center.
Currently serving as a Maternal and Newborn Health Technical Advisor at Jhpiego in Maryland, Zahra leads the development of research protocols, technical guidance, and evidence-based tools in collaboration with global partners. She is also completing her Master of Public Health and Health Promotion at Brunel University London.
Zahra’s professional journey reflects a deep commitment to equity, respectful maternity care, and empowering midwives as agents of change. In 2020, she was named one of the “100+ Outstanding Women Nurses and Midwives” by WHO, UNFPA, ICM, and Women in Global Health.
