Advocacy

Over the past weeks, ICM and Member Associations (MAs) from Europe have been working together to advocate for a stronger European Union (EU) framework for midwifery education and better recognition of midwifery qualifications across countries.

On behalf of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), representing over one million midwives globally and over 185,000 midwives in the European Union, we are writing to reiterate our support for the European Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice.”

This year, let’s make IWD count for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. At a time of growing global pushback on access to care, women’s health must be high on our collective agenda. And if we are serious about women’s health, we must be serious about midwives.

The Lightful BRIDGE programme, which helped IMAL build digital skills, strengthen its online presence, and develop more sustainable ways to communicate, advocate, mobilise, and influence policy—amplifying midwives’ voices and impact.

Recommendations outline a roadmap to close gender health gaps, strengthen sexual and reproductive health services, and ensure accessible, evidence-based, life-course care across Europe for women.

New evidence confirms a reality felt across health systems: too few midwives are available to meet women’s needs before, during and after pregnancy.

This campaign is more than a petition. It’s about creating global visibility for midwives — sparking conversations about their vital role in saving lives, protecting rights, and improving care. Every single action you take helps push us closer to one million.

We know that travelling to Congress and paying the registration fee can be difficult for many midwives and advocates. As a thank you for all your efforts to gather signatures, ICM is launching a contest that will give three people the chance to attend Congress with a free registration (registration fee only). 

The Anthem Awards honour digital projects that blend innovation and social impact. This recognition places the Midwives’ Data Hub among the world’s most credible, high-impact health platforms.

In October, ICM brought together midwives’ associations (MAs) from five countries to pilot the first Regional Advocacy Incubator. The Incubator ensures that national midwives’ associations are equipped to drive advocacy, amplify women and midwives’ voices, and connect local priorities to global agendas at the right time.

ICM participated in the XXV FIGO World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, with a focus on PPH guidance, interprofessional collaboration, and field visits, a global gathering of leaders, innovators, and changemakers in Cape Town, South Africa.

ICM’s Midwives' Data Hub is a finalist for the prestigious Anthem Award in the Health category.