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International Day of the Midwife (IDM) 2025 is rapidly approaching and we want you to celebrate and advocate with us!


The world faces an unprecedented number of crises. From natural disasters and conflict to the ongoing impacts of climate change, these emergencies are placing immense strain on health systems and disproportionately affecting women and newborns.


Midwives are trusted first responders, who if enabled can strengthen health systems to be well-prepared to face any crisis. They can provide up to 90% of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health (SRMNAH) services, even in the most complex humanitarian settings. That’s why this year’s IDM theme is Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis.


To help you mark this important day and advocate for midwives in your communities, we’ve assembled a comprehensive social media toolkit filled with ready-to-use assets, produced a powerful advocacy video, and are planning a special IDM event you won’t want to miss. Thank you for supporting midwives and SRMNAH!

   

Critical in Every Crisis

To understand why midwives must be included in crisis preparedness, planning and response, watch our powerful advocacy video. It highlights the challenges women, girls and gender diverse people face in emergencies, and the lifesaving care midwives provide during these times.  


Help us spread the word by sharing the video with fellow midwives, on social media, and with decision-makers in your region.  

IDM2025
   

Join Us to Advocate for Midwives 

Our IDM 2025 Toolkit is packed with resources to help you raise awareness and join the global celebration. Here’s how you can use it: 

  • Share key messages on your website and social media: Use the ready-made graphics and sample messages across your communications channels. You can copy and paste the messages or adapt the text to fit your local context; remember to tag @world_midwives and use the hashtag #IDM2025.  

  • Explore why midwives are critical in every crisis: The toolkit includes background information for each key message to help you understand and explain the importance of midwives in humanitarian settings. 

  • Translate the content into your language: All materials are available in English, French and Spanish. You can also use the editable Canva templates to translate the content into your local language. 

  • Use your own photos to personalise the materials: Make the content reflect your community by replacing the visuals in the editable templates with your own images of midwives and those they serve. 

Join Our Global Event

This year, we’re introducing a new format for our IDM celebration: a longer event with multiple entry points so you can join when it works best for you. 

  • Date: 05 May 2025 

  • Time: 14:00–18:00 CEST 

  • Where: Online – join at any time during the programme 

This four-hour event will bring together midwives and global experts for an engaging look at midwives’ role in humanitarian settings. Through documentaries, live discussions, and real-life stories, you will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges midwives face and the essential care they provide during crises. 

     

What to expect?

14:00 CEST – Opening Segment: Welcome and Theme Introduction 
This segment will open the event with a reflection on this year’s theme – Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis – and set the scene for the discussions ahead. It will include a screening of ICM’s advocacy video.  

Speaker: Anna af Ugglas, Chief Executive, ICM 


14:15 CEST – IDM Celebrations: Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, and Africa 
Midwives’ associations from across these regions share how they are celebrating IDM and advocating for midwives in their countries. 


14:30 CEST – Documentary Screening: Navigating Birth and Conflict in the West Bank 
This short film follows the experiences of midwives working under occupation and navigating complex barriers to deliver safe and respectful care. 


14:40 CEST – Spotlight Stories: Midwives Working in Humanitarian Settings 
Midwives from different parts of the world share firsthand experiences of responding to emergencies—from natural disasters to armed conflict. Their stories will highlight the realities of delivering SRMNAH services in difficult conditions, and the impact of their work on individuals and communities. 
Speakers include:

  • Roksana Parvin - Bangladesh 
  • Nina Söder - Denmark  
  • Bivir Claude Binyuy - Cameroon 
  • Lisa Peberdy – Australia 
  • Jeanna Deswert - USA
  • Ximena Rojas – Mexico 


15:20 CEST – Documentary Screening: Midwives Supporting Earthquake-Affected Communities in Morocco 
This film highlights the response of midwives in the aftermath of the 2023 Morocco earthquake and their role in maintaining essential care for affected communities. 


15:25 CEST – Break 


15:35 CEST – Documentary Screening: Empowering Lives: How Midwives Support Rohingya Refugees in Cox’s Bazar 
A look at the daily work of midwives in Cox’s Bazar, one of the world’s largest refugee camps, where midwives provide essential reproductive and maternal health care. 


15:50 CEST – IDM Celebrations: Europe and the Americas 
Midwives’ associations from Europe and the Americas share their IDM activities and how they are using this moment to raise the visibility of midwives. 


16:00 CEST – Expert Panel: Midwives in Humanitarian Settings 
This panel discussion will explore how midwives work in emergency contexts, the systemic barriers they face, and the policy shifts needed to better support them. The panellists come from different organisations working in the humanitarian space and all have firsthand knowledge and experience of what it means to provide care in these contexts. 
Speakers include: 

  • Pascale Allotey - SRH Director, WHO 
  • Fouzia Shafique - Associate Director for Health, UNICEF 
  • Faye Callaghan - Global SRH advisor, ICRC 
  • Tomoko Fukuda – Regional Director for East, SEA and Oceania Regions, IPPF  
  • Nihal Nassereddin - Nutrition Officer, WFP 
  • Majda Aqazouz – Midwife and SRHR Specialist, UNFPA
  • Moderator: Anna af Ugglas - Chief Executive, ICM 


17:00 CEST – Live Q&A and Interactive Session 
An opportunity for participants to ask questions and hear directly from Neha Mankani, Humanitarian Support and Climate Engagement Advisor; Kate Stringer, Midwife Advisor; and Stephanie Marriott, Midwife Advisor – all part of ICM’s team supporting humanitarian response. They will reflect on the discussions from the day, share insights, and respond to live questions from participants. 


17:20 CEST – Screening and Closing Reflections 
The event will close with one final documentary screening followed by reflections from ICM leadership on the stories and insights shared throughout the event. 
Speakers: Sandra Oyarzo Torres, President, ICM 

Submit your IDM 2025 Event 

Are you organising an activity for IDM 2025? Whether you are planning a community gathering, a webinar, a photo exhibit, or something completely unique, we would love to hear about it. 


Submit your event through our online form to have it added to ICM’s global celebration list and featured on our website. You may also be selected to share your event during our IDM virtual celebration on 05 May. 

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Our mailing address is:

Authorized representative: International Confederation of Midwives
Email address: info@internationalmidwives.org
Phone: 0703060520
Address: Koninginnegracht 60

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