Observed annually on 5 May and coordinated by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), this day recognizes midwives' role in safe, respectful maternal and newborn care and advocates for stronger investment in the profession.
Theme Focus
A global advocacy campaign and petition drive calling for the estimated one million additional midwives needed worldwide to meet essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health needs. It links directly to preventing 64% of newborn deaths and 65% of stillbirths through proper midwifery care, and to closing unmet family-planning needs affecting 257 million women.
Key Priorities
Recognize the essential role of midwives in maternal and newborn health
Improve access to quality midwifery care
Reduce maternal and newborn mortality
Invest in the education, training, and retention of midwives
Strengthen respectful, woman-centred maternity care
Expand access to sexual and reproductive healthcare
Promote continuity of care throughout pregnancy and childbirth
Support midwives in humanitarian and underserved settings
Improve health systems through midwifery leadership
Advance universal access to skilled birth attendance
Join our community for practical, jargon-free health education and medical insights delivered weekly.
Your Privacy Choices
Health Custodian uses essential cookies to ensure the website works properly.
With your permission, analytics cookies may also be used to understand
how visitors use the site and improve educational content.
