International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)

We are thrilled to announce this year’s theme for #IDM2025: "Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis." In crises caused by natural disasters, conflict, or climate change, women, gender diverse people and newborns face immense risks. Midwives are trusted first responders; when enabled, they can prepare health systems to withstand any crisis. This IDM, let’s celebrate midwives and advocate for their inclusion in every crisis preparedness and response plan. 📢 Learn more: https://zurl.co/YgFFl

Midwives play a critical role in achieving universal health coverage (#UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals, yet there is a global shortage of midwives. A new scoping review highlights the economic benefits of midwifery services, showing that midwife-led models of care are often cost-saving, cost-effective, or cost-beneficial. 🔗 Learn more: https://zurl.co/vQ04w

On 7 April 2025, on the sidelines of #CPD58, we are proud to launch The Midwifery Accelerator — a new global initiative led by ICM, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF World Health Organization and Jhpiego to strengthen and scale up quality midwifery models of care around the world. This high-level side event, “Improving Health and Well-being for Women and Newborns”, will bring together global champions — governments, civil society, professional associations, and philanthropy — to spotlight midwifery’s critical role in achieving SDG 3 and SDG 5, and accelerating progress toward the EWENE targets. 📅 Date: Monday, 7 April 2025 🕐 Time: 1:15 – 2:30 PM (EDT) 📍 Venue: UN Headquarters, Conference Room 4, New York 🎥 Livestream: UN Web TV: https://zurl.co/V5sU5

In humanitarian settings, midwives are a lifeline for mothers and newborns. 💙 In this powerful moment, Neha Mankani, midwife and ICM Humanitarian Engagement and Climate Advisor, uses a stethoscope to check a newborn’s heart rate while the mother observes in Pakistan after devastating floodings. From conflict zones to disaster-stricken areas, midwives provide essential postnatal and newborn care, ensuring survival and well-being even in the most challenging conditions. 📸 Captured by Khaula Jamil

💜 At this year’s Commission on the Status of Women (#CSW69), we launched PUSH 2.0, strengthening the global movement for woman-centred care with midwives at the heart of it. ✨ Highlights included: 📌 A high-level panel featuring global leaders in health and gender equality 📌 The PUSH Photo Exhibit at UN Headquarters, showcasing midwives from around the world 📌 The launch of the new PUSH Campaign Strategy and the PUSH Pledge Midwives are high-impact, low-cost, climate-smart solutions to gender equality and healthcare. We heard powerful calls for action, solidarity, and investment in midwifery as the path to sustainable change. Learn more and join PUSH Campaign 🔗 https://zurl.co/zttAp

Today, in our #ResourceTuesday feature, we sharing the ICM Care of the Newborn statement! Midwives play a critical role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of both the mother and newborn. This resource outlines essential competencies for midwives, covering everything from newborn examination to resuscitation, early breastfeeding support, and education on disease prevention. With the right skills and care, midwives can help save countless newborn lives. 💡 Download the statement to enhance midwifery practice in newborn care: https://zurl.co/ggDQh

Save the date for our #IDM2025 event! Midwives in Humanitarian Settings: Critical in Every Crisis 🗓️ 5 May 2025 🕑 14:00–18:00 CEST 🌍 Available in English, Spanish, and French This 4-hour online event will spotlight the role of midwives on the frontlines of humanitarian response. The programme will feature a series of short documentaries about midwives working in crisis settings, along with a high-level panel, testimonials from midwives working in crises, and opportunities to learn more about how midwives are celebrating around the world Each session will be hosted separately, allowing participants to join at different times throughout the event. You can stay for the full programme or drop in for a session. Only one registration required! Learn more and register: https://zurl.co/NEUVQ

🚨 Obstetric Violence in Serbia: A Crisis That Cannot Be Ignored A recent investigation by the CINS - Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia has exposed alarming levels of obstetric violence in the country. Their findings reveal that: 🔹 97% of women never reported their experiences of obstetric violence. 🔹 1 in 3 women were denied pain relief medication. 🔹 1 in 3 experienced a violation of privacy. 🔹 1 in 4 reported physical abuse. The full investigation, including video interviews and expert insights, have reached over 5 million people, sparking critical conversations on this urgent issue. Learn more: https://zurl.co/DSDjM At ICM, we recognise obstetric violence as a violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence. Last year, we published our Statement on Obstetric Violence, Mistreatment, and Violence Against Women in Reproductive Health Services, reinforcing our commitment to respectful and dignified maternity care. Access statement: https://zurl.co/Au0sS 📢 We urge you to read, share, and stand in solidarity with those calling for change.

“I hope to see every maternity unit have at least one staff member who can communicate in sign language.” Haitian student midwife Sneïka Anna Lora Synal is breaking barriers by making midwifery care more inclusive for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Through her advocacy and educational videos in sign language, she is ensuring that no woman is left without access to essential sexual and reproductive health information. 📽️ Watch her speak about her hopes for a more inclusive and accessible midwifery future in Haiti. Learn more: https://zurl.co/Nxbf7

📢 Calling all our Midwives' Associations! Are you planning an event for #IDM2025? We want to showcase your celebrations! 🎉 Submit your IDM events to have them featured on the ICM website and social media, let’s highlight how midwives around the world are making an impact. 📌 Submit your event here: https://zurl.co/SP4eb Join us in showing the world why midwives are critical in every crisis!