Sweden Ramps Up Government Initiatives to Strengthen Women's Healthcare

Sweden has embarked on comprehensive government efforts to enhance women's healthcare, with a special focus on maternity services, childbirth support, and care for victims of sexual violence.

Over the past decade, the country has implemented 176 projects underpinned by a total funding allocation of 2.8 billion kronor from 2016 to 2025. More than 60% of this funding has been dedicated to maternity care and midwifery clinics, resulting in permanent healthcare improvements such as a four-day training program for midwives focused on pelvic health and mental well-being, and new practices in maternity wards, including assigning one midwife per active birth as part of an eight-point quality improvement program.

The Stockholm Region highlighted these advancements recently, noting that 26 permanent initiatives have been integrated into routine healthcare, correlating with increased patient satisfaction and reduced severe birth injuries. Projects also cover neonatal transport innovations, personalized midwifery care models, and enhanced healthcare provider training on conditions like female genital mutilation and endometriosis. Additionally, the creation of a national abortion hotline has helped improve access to reproductive services.

Complementing these efforts, the Swedish government has launched a national assignment to better coordinate, support, and monitor maternity and women's healthcare, placing particular emphasis on victims of sexual violence. This initiative, with a report due by October 31, 2027, seeks to create a more cohesive national strategy. Alongside, there is an ongoing public debate concerning the medical complexities of abortion in Sweden and calls for increased accountability and efficiency within regional healthcare systems by organizations such as the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR).

These coordinated initiatives signify Sweden's commitment to elevating the quality and accessibility of women's healthcare nationwide, addressing both physical and psychosocial health needs with sustained government investment and policy attention.