Professional Framework for Midwifery – Implementation Guide

Advocacy, Association, Education, Enabling Environment, Essential Competencies, Gender Equality, Leadership, Model of Care, Philosophy, Regulation, Research

ICM

Last Edited 10 June 2025 10:50 CEST

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The Professional Framework for Midwifery outlines the key elements needed to build and sustain a strong midwifery profession and improve the quality and equity of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (SRMNAH) care.

This Implementation Guide is designed for midwives, policymakers, educators, health system leaders, and others involved in strengthening midwifery services. It provides a step-by-step approach to applying the Framework, along with practical examples and reflection points. The guide supports users in understanding how to engage with the Framework and advocate for its implementation within their own health systems.

Using the Implementation Guide

The Implementation Guide is structured in three sections:

Section 1 explains the foundations of the Framework—why the ICM Definition of a Midwife, Midwifery Philosophy and Model of Care, and Essential Competencies are central.
Section 2 explores the remaining elements of the Framework, highlighting their interdependence and role in shaping a strong midwifery profession.
Section 3 provides a practical approach to implementing the Framework, with country examples that show how it can be applied in different contexts.

Using this guide can help improve midwifery care and create stronger systems to support midwives. With stakeholder engagement and clear measures of progress, the Framework can drive lasting change for midwives, women, and newborns around the world.

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