International Midwives' Day: Honoring the Guardians of Maternal and Newborn Health

International Midwives' Day: Honoring the Guardians of Maternal and Newborn Health

International Midwives' Day, observed annually on May 5th, stands as a global celebration of the indispensable role midwives play in safeguarding maternal and newborn health. Established in 1992 by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), this day has grown into a worldwide movement that recognizes midwives' contributions while advocating for stronger support systems for these healthcare professionals . The 2025 observance carries particular significance with its powerful theme "Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis," highlighting how midwives serve as frontline responders in humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters, and conflict zones .

Midwifery represents one of humanity's oldest healthcare professions, with roots tracing back to ancient civilizations. Today's midwives blend traditional wisdom with modern medical knowledge to provide comprehensive sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health (SRMNAH) services . They accompany women through the entire childbirth continuum—from prenatal care to delivery and postpartum support—while empowering families with education and counseling. International Midwives' Day serves as both a tribute to their dedication and a call to action to address the global shortage of nearly 1 million midwives that threatens maternal health outcomes worldwide .

Historical Context and Evolution

The conceptual foundation for International Midwives' Day emerged during a 1987 International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands, though the first official observance occurred in 1992 . Early celebrations were modest, often limited to professional gatherings and educational seminars. However, the day gained substantial momentum following the 2011 publication of the inaugural State of the World's Midwifery Report (SoWMy), which presented alarming data about global maternal health disparities and workforce shortages . This evidence-based report, collaboratively produced by UNFPA, ICM, WHO, and Novametrics, demonstrated how midwives could prevent approximately 4.3 million annual deaths by 2035 if given adequate resources and training .

Over three decades, International Midwives' Day has evolved from a professional recognition event into a multifaceted global health campaign. Landmark celebrations include the 2014 observances in New Zealand and Iran that brought midwifery into mainstream discourse, and the 2021 alignment with the SoWMy report release that emphasized midwives' role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals . The 2022 illumination of Belfast and Bristol city halls in the Royal College of Midwives' signature berry and tangerine colors symbolized growing public recognition, while 2023's hybrid events combined virtual conferences with community engagements like Liberia's midwife-schoolchild interactions . This historical trajectory reflects midwifery's ascending recognition as a cornerstone of global health systems.

The 2025 Theme: "Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis"

The International Confederation of Midwives announced the 2025 theme in January, selecting "Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis" to address contemporary global challenges . This theme resonates profoundly as the world confronts compounding humanitarian emergencies—from climate change-induced disasters to protracted conflicts and pandemic aftermaths. These crises disproportionately impact women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals, exacerbating risks like pregnancy complications, gender-based violence, and limited healthcare access . Midwives emerge as unsung heroes in these scenarios, often being the first and only healthcare providers reaching vulnerable populations in conflict zones, refugee camps, and disaster areas .

ICM President Sandra Oyarzo Torres emphasizes that midwives deliver up to 90% of essential SRMNAH services even in complex humanitarian settings, often with minimal resources . They perform far beyond attending births—distributing emergency supplies, providing contraception and abortion care, supporting breastfeeding, and caring for survivors of sexual violence . Yet paradoxically, midwives frequently face exclusion from crisis preparedness planning, leaving health systems ill-equipped to address women's specific needs during emergencies . The 2025 theme therefore serves as both recognition and advocacy, urging policymakers to include midwives in emergency response frameworks while equipping them with necessary training and resources.

Global Celebrations and Observances

International Midwives' Day 2025 will witness diverse celebrations across over 115 countries where ICM's 135 member associations operate . Traditional events include educational seminars like Malta's 2011 combination of a public march with lactation workshops, and Liberia's 2023 school engagement programs . The 2025 calendar features innovative formats including WHO-hosted webinars with global health leaders, virtual storytelling sessions featuring frontline midwives, and "pop-up" midwifery clinics bringing services to underserved communities .

ICM has prepared an extensive Digital Toolkit with advocacy materials, social media assets, and educational resources in English, French, and Spanish to unify global messaging . The toolkit empowers local associations to tailor celebrations to their cultural contexts while maintaining thematic cohesion. Social media campaigns using hashtags like #IDM2025 and #MidwivesMatter will amplify midwives' voices globally, while community events range from gratitude campaigns to policy rallies demanding better working conditions . UNFPA and partners will simultaneously launch the Midwifery Accelerator, a multinational initiative strengthening midwifery education and deployment across 125+ countries . This blend of celebration and activism characterizes modern International Midwives' Day observances.

The Multidimensional Role of Midwives

Contemporary midwifery encompasses far more than delivery attendance. As outlined in the State of the World's Midwifery reports, midwives provide comprehensive SRMNAH services that include cervical/breast cancer screenings, family planning counseling, and newborn care . Their woman-centered approach emphasizes informed choice, psychological support, and continuity of care—qualities associated with lower intervention rates and improved outcomes. Studies cited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives reveal that midwife-attended births involve fewer C-sections, less induced labor, and reduced anesthesia use compared to physician-led models .

In crisis settings, midwives adapt ingeniously to resource constraints. They improvise delivery kits, conduct deliveries in bomb shelters or flooded areas, and maintain infection prevention without reliable water supplies . Their community embeddedness proves invaluable—knowing local languages and customs enables culturally sensitive care during displacement. Midwives also document rights violations, advocate against harmful practices like female genital mutilation, and provide psychosocial support for trauma survivors . This multidimensionality explains why the Cochrane Library finds comparable outcomes between low-risk pregnancies managed by midwives versus obstetricians, yet midwifery remains undervalued in many health systems .

Challenges and Advocacy Priorities

Despite their proven impact, midwives face systemic challenges that International Midwives' Day seeks to address. The profession contends with chronic underinvestment—evidenced by equipment shortages, inadequate salaries, and scarce training opportunities, especially in low-income countries . Workplace safety concerns persist, with midwives risking violence in conflict zones or infectious disease exposure during outbreaks. Professional recognition gaps mean many countries don't fully integrate midwives into primary care teams or policy discussions.

The 2025 observance highlights three advocacy priorities derived from ICM's campaign materials: inclusion in crisis planning, workforce strengthening, and resource allocation . First, midwives demand seats at emergency preparedness tables to ensure SRMNAH services aren't overlooked during crises. Second, addressing the 900,000 global midwife shortage requires educational investments and removal of credentialing barriers . Third, equipping midwives with supplies like clean birth kits and medications is essential for quality care delivery. UNFPA estimates that universal midwifery coverage could prevent 67% of maternal deaths, underscoring the cost-effectiveness of these investments .

Educational and Professional Aspects

Pursuing midwifery represents both a calling and an academic challenge. Degree programs typically combine rigorous coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, and obstetrics with extensive clinical rotations . The profession demands emotional resilience as midwives manage life-threatening complications while providing compassionate support. Continuous learning is imperative, with specialties emerging in areas like perinatal mental health or humanitarian response .

International Midwives' Day 2025 will spotlight educational initiatives through events like WHO's webinar on evidence-based midwifery models . The Midwifery Accelerator program aims to standardize curricula globally while addressing regional training gaps . Celebrations also recognize student midwives who balance academic demands with clinical responsibilities, often working shifts comparable to licensed professionals during training . These educational dimensions ensure midwives remain at the forefront of evidence-based, respectful maternity care.

How to Participate and Show Support

Public engagement forms a cornerstone of International Midwives' Day. Individuals can contribute through various meaningful actions . Expressing gratitude to midwives—whether through social media tributes or handwritten notes—boosts morale for these often-overworked professionals. Learning about midwifery's scope (beyond delivery attendance) helps combat misconceptions, while sharing positive birth stories humanizes the profession's impact.

Policy advocacy represents another crucial participation avenue. Supporting legislation that improves midwives' working conditions or expands their practice authority creates systemic change. Donations to midwifery education funds, particularly for low-resource settings, help address workforce shortages . Attending local events or virtual conferences like ICM's May 5th program deepens understanding of contemporary challenges . Even simple acts like wearing purple (the color symbolizing midwifery) on May 5th demonstrates solidarity.

The Future of Midwifery

As International Midwives' Day enters its fourth decade, the profession stands at a crossroads. Growing recognition of midwives' crisis-response capabilities contrasts with persistent underfunding of maternal health systems . The 2025 theme's humanitarian focus aligns with global health trends emphasizing resilience and equity. Technological advancements like telemedicine and mobile health platforms offer new tools for midwives serving remote communities, while decolonized training models promote culturally congruent care.

The path forward requires concerted action. ICM's vision involves fully integrating midwives into universal health coverage frameworks and emergency response teams . Achieving this demands political will to implement the WHO's Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health, which prioritizes midwifery workforce development . Grassroots movements amplifying midwives' voices—like those showcased during International Midwives' Day—will be instrumental in driving this change.

Conclusion: A Call to Honor and Action

International Midwives' Day 2025 transcends ceremonial recognition—it's a mobilization moment for one of global health's most transformative forces. The "Critical in Every Crisis" theme encapsulates midwives' dual reality as both frontline saviors and undersupported professionals. As natural disasters intensify and conflicts proliferate, investing in midwifery becomes not just a moral imperative but a pragmatic strategy for resilient health systems.

This May 5th, celebrations will honor midwives' historical legacy while charting a course toward equitable maternal healthcare worldwide. From policy forums to community clinics, the collective message resonates clear: when midwives thrive, societies reap intergenerational benefits. By supporting midwifery through education, advocacy, and resource allocation, humanity takes a vital step toward ensuring that no woman faces pregnancy or childbirth without skilled, compassionate care—in times of stability or crisis.

Photo from: iStock

Share this

myearthisone