Explainer: The International Day of the Midwives

5th May 2022 Vanessza Toth 470 Views anniversary, midwives, Women's Equality

On May 5, midwives across the world are celebrating the International Day of the Midwifes 2022. The celebration focuses on the progress in midwifery over the past 100 years. Maternity support workers, student midwives also celebrate across the globe.

International Day of the Midwives was first celebrated back in 1991 on the 7th of May, and since then it has been observed in over 50 nations around the world.

This celebration is for the recognition of the midwives who came out in 1987 during an International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands.

This event is for the midwives, maternity support workers, and student midwives who have done their job under extraordinary circumstances, and risked their lives to provide excellent care to women and their families.

It’s International Day of the Midwife.
Thank you to all of the amazing midwives all over the world. @allontheboard #InternationalDayoftheMidwife #IDM2022 pic.twitter.com/PjAV0cHWkX

— All On The Board (@allontheboard) May 5, 2022

But who are midwives?

They are the defenders of Women’s Rights. They also have a vital role in protecting girls, rights of women, and midwives by ensuring they can exercise their full human rights. Especially, their reproductive and sexual health rights in their communities and countries of practice.

As the population is in a time where women and girls rights are in a bad situation globally, their role is really important.

Thanks to this community, more women are working for political offices than any time in history.

Celebrating international day of the midwife today and all the amazing midwives giving their care to women and families. I am proud to be part of the midwifery family today and every day #IDM2022 pic.twitter.com/cP8l5ELiZa

— Lesley (@lesharkey1) May 5, 2022

What is the celebration about?

For the 100th Anniversary, the celebration reflects on the impact and influence of the organisational history on midwifery.

Issues related to identity, race, gender, ability and inclusion will get explored. This will be done through ICM Listening and Learning Series. A detailing book of the story of ICM’s first 100 years will also be published this year. (More information about this important catalogue of midwifery and ICM over the past one hundred years will be available on #IDM2022).

Feature Image: Patty Brito on Unsplash