Regional Advocacy Incubator
The Regional Advocacy Incubator is an ICM initiative designed to strengthen the advocacy capacity of midwives’ associations through regional collaboration, practical training, and partnerships with civil society and other sectors.
Launched in October 2025 in Nairobi, the Incubator brought together midwives’ associations from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. It applies the PUSH Campaign methodology, focusing on coalition-building, multi-sectoral collaboration, and movement-led advocacy. The project supports associations to move from isolated efforts to coordinated advocacy that connects midwifery priorities with wider health, gender, and social agendas.
Aims of the project:
- Strengthen the ability of midwives’ associations to influence policy and decision-making
- Increase the visibility and recognition of midwives within health systems
- Build skills in stakeholder engagement, power mapping, advocacy planning, and communications
- Foster partnerships with civil society, media, academia, and other sectors to expand reach and impact
- Support coordinated, movement-led advocacy aligned with national and regional priorities
Through the Incubator, each participating association developed a costed national advocacy plan, including clear priorities, partnerships, and implementation steps. The project also created space for peer learning, allowing associations to exchange experiences, identify shared challenges, and explore opportunities for joint action.
Accomplishments so far:
- Tanzania: Advocacy strategies rolled out nationally, supported by a digital campaign to increase visibility of midwives
- Uganda: Partnerships strengthened policy dialogue and supported advocacy on midwifery models of care
- Kenya: Multi-sector engagement built national support for midwifery priorities and expanded public outreach
- Ethiopia: A multi-partner policy brief advanced recognition of midwives as health system leaders
- Malawi: Advocacy focused on increasing health budget allocation to improve working conditions and retention
Across all countries, the project has strengthened collaboration between midwives’ associations, civil society, and other stakeholders. This has increased credibility, amplified messaging, and accelerated progress in national advocacy efforts.
The Incubator provides a structured model that can be expanded to other regions, supporting midwives’ associations to take a stronger leadership role in shaping health systems and advancing sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health.
