Important conversations are happening at Congress – Day 2 Recap
Today’s plenary: Midwives in Crisis – Responding to Global Emergencies and Challenges to the Profession
The second plenary session, Midwives in Crisis: Responding to global emergencies and challenges to the profession, explored how midwives are responding to conflict, climate change, migration, fragile health systems and attacks on women’s rights.
Paola Salwan Daher opened the session with a powerful keynote, calling midwives leaders and human rights defenders. “You act for the protection of the right to bodily autonomy, to health and to sexual and reproductive health,” she said. Moderated by Sanjana Bhardwaj, the panel then brought this message to life through examples from Chile, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago.
Macarena Martinez spoke about protecting reproductive rights for women in prison, while Neha Mankani showed how trust and community relationships save lives in climate-affected communities. “Before we invest in projects, we need to invest in people,” Neha said. Soo Downe reflected on the need to rebuild trust in midwifery, and Nicole Reece-James shared how midwives are supporting Venezuelan migrants to access respectful care.
Across every context, the message was clear: invest in midwives, listen to women and include midwives in decision-making.
Our Workshops
Developing strong midwife faculty
How do we ensure the next generation of midwives receives the highest quality education? This interactive workshop, facilitated by Kate Stringer, Rachel Smith, Malin Bogren and Paridhi Jha, explored the new ICM Global Standards for Midwife Faculty, highlighting the critical role faculty development plays in strengthening midwifery education and ultimately improving care for women, newborns and adolescents. 
Through practical examples and discussion, participants examined how the standards can be applied in different contexts to support educators, identify gaps and build stronger midwifery education programmes worldwide.
“We must know the why, before we can discuss the how” – Kate Stringer, workshop facilitator
Champions of choice: Midwives advancing family planning and comprehensive abortion care
This interactive workshop explored the full scope of midwifery practice in family planning and comprehensive abortion care, guided by the ICM Essential Competencies.
Drawing on learning from the C4W project, participants examined workforce optimisation, interprofessional collaboration, and advocacy strategies that strengthen enabling environments and expand women’s reproductive rights and access to essential services.
From preparedness to response: Midwives in humanitarian and climate contexts
From climate-related disasters to humanitarian emergencies, midwives are increasingly working on the frontlines of crisis. This interactive session facilitated by Neha Mankani and Liselotte Kweekel explored how climate change and humanitarian challenges are already reshaping midwifery practice worldwide, and highlighted the critical role midwives play in protecting the health and rights of women, newborns and communities during times of disruption.
Participants shared experiences, practical solutions and lessons from their own contexts, reinforcing a clear message: midwives are essential first responders and must be recognised, supported and included in preparedness and response efforts globally.
Partner Spotlight
Elevating the new consolidated PPH Guidelines for midwives in high-burden countries to lead the charge for quality life-saving care
Sponsored by Ferring, and co-hosted with the Maternity Foundation, the session Pharmaceuticals explored how the new consolidated WHO, FIGO and ICM postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) guidelines are empowering midwives across sub Saharan Africa to support change.
Optimizing milk supply for mothers with lactation risk factors – The antenatal lactation screening tool and how to integrate it into your clinical practice
Sponsored by Medela, this session highlighted the importance of identifying lactation risk factors during pregnancy to better support breastfeeding success after birth. Speakers highlighted how factors such as gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, elevated BMI and limited breast changes during pregnancy can impact milk production, and discussed practical approaches for integrating antenatal lactation screening and proactive support into routine maternity care.
Preparing midwives for the future – The opportunity of simulation based learning
This partner session, sponsored by Laerdal, explored how simulation-based training can strengthen midwifery education, build clinical competencies and improve outcomes for women and newborns, with practical examples from both high- and low-resource settings.
“Practicing communication skills with midwife students is fundamental to ensure respectful maternity care”
A Flashmob to end PPH Together
The “End PPH Together” Flashmob, led by Chief Midwife Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent and organised by ICM, Laerdal, FIGO, and Ellavi is a powerful, choreographed call to action highlighting postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) as one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. Participants gather in a public space to recreate the urgency and devastating impact of PPH, responding to the clinical warning: “She’s bleeding. Help!” before dropping to the ground in unison.
More than a symbolic performance, the flashmob underscores the critical importance of timely recognition, skilled care, and simulation-based training in preventing maternal deaths. The event concludes with participants rising together to call for action to end preventable deaths from PPH, sending a clear message: with the right training, resources, and investment in midwives, lives can be saved.
Beyond the programme
Day two kept the momentum going, with the Exhibition Hall buzzing from morning to evening. Participants explored interactive simulation experiences, tested new skills, connected with exhibitors, and discovered innovations shaping the future of midwifery. As the sun set, more than 1,000 participants gathered for the Gala Dinner at Convento do Beato, a stunning 15th-century former convent. The evening was filled with conversation, celebration, and connection, ending with plenty of dancing and unforgettable moments shared across the global midwifery community.
Coming up today
The third day of Congress will kick off with two breakfast symposiums sponsored by UNFPA on midwifery scope of practice study, and WHO on self-care competency standards for midwives.
The third plenary session will focus on Midwifery models of care, don’t forget to check out the other workshops, sessions, and symposiums that are happening on Day 3!
Stay tuned to social media to see our live coverage and our picture recap!