Unlocking Impact: Midwives as the Key

What if we told you midwives hold the key to unlocking gender justice, economic growth, health equity and climate resilience? 

Momentum to scale Midwifery Models of Care is magnanimous!  In the last year alone, global recommendations point to midwives as the solution—from the global position paper, to its implementation guidance, to the Midwifery Accelerator. Despite this, the world is currently facing a shortage of about one million midwives. The PUSH Campaign is building a global movement to mainstream woman-centred care and highlight the role midwives in delivering it. Everyone is welcome in the movement for woman-centred care and midwives! The first step is to sign the PUSH Pledge. 

The PUSH Campaign, hosted by the International Confederation of Midwives, together with Global Health Visions (GHV) and our advocacy partners, are hosting a high-level breakfast and side event at the International Conference for Family Planning 2025 to launch a new evidence brief that synthesizes the economic, gender, health, and climate cases for investing in midwives.  

In the face of growing polycrises, including geopolitical instability, economic disruption, and climate change—urgent, high-impact solutions are needed. Midwives stand out as one of the most strategic and cost-effective investments to address these crises, accelerate progress on the SDGs, and secure a healthier, more equitable, and resilient future 

Midwives Drive Economic Growth 

Midwives can contribute over US$1 trillion annually to the global economy by 2040 by closing the women’s health gap. Midwifery models of care (MMOCs) are affordable and cost-effective, reducing unnecessary medical interventions and optimising health system resources; they can deliver a 16-fold return on investment (ROI) for every $1 invested—the highest ROI in global health.   

Midwives Advance Health Equity and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 

Midwives deliver 90% of essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services—often reaching underserved, rural, and hard-to-reach communities. They improve access, coverage, advance primary care and UHC, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and humanise care through providing respectful, rights-based services.  

Midwives Promote Gender Equality 

As a 93% female profession, midwifery is a powerful force for gender equality. Investing in midwives means closing gender pay gaps, increasing female representation in leadership, and advancing women’s economic empowerment. Midwives advocate for and with women, for rights, freedom from violence, bodily autonomy, economic opportunity, education, and leadership. 

Midwives Build Climate and Health Systems Resilience 

Midwives are often first responders in crises—delivering lifesaving care in disrupted health systems. Their community-based approach reduces carbon footprints, enable facility- and health systems environmental sustainability, and supports adaptation to climate shocks. Midwives improve emergency preparedness and foster climate-resilient and equitable healthcare systems. 

The evidence is clear, the time to act is now: 

To advance the SDGs, economic or climate resilience, health or gender equality, we must urgently invest in midwives and elevate their leadership. This brief calls on funders, policymakers, and advocates to join the movement and take action.  

Join us on November 4th, 2025, at ICFP2025 for two powerful high-level panel discussion among global health leaders about how midwives unlock impact in their sectors.  Through this new brief, we equip advocates in the health sector and beyond, by making the evidence readily available and making the case for midwives as agents of change in the social, gender, economic, political, and environmental spheres.  

We present policy-relevant recommendations to show that midwives are not just part of the solution—they are foundational to achieving a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world.  Add your name to the global petition to close the million midwife gap and join us as we PUSH for rights, for women, and for midwives!