Liberia defied gender roles when it elected Africa’s first female head of state, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. The new generation of midwives is following suit. “Our people are in need,” says midwifery student David Cholopleh. He is among eight men enrolled to become certified midwives. “We need to bring up the health system in this country,” he says, adding that delivering basic health services will be key to lasting peace in Liberia. Increased investment in health systems would deliver regular staff salaries, training, equipment and incentives for health workers to build the skill-base needed to stop mothers dying needlessly in childbirth.