Every 5th of May, Women and Midwives all over the world gather to mark the International Day of the Midwife and each year the world is being asked to focus on the role of midwives and midwifery.
This practice has been put in place for local midwives, Midwives Associations and supporters of midwifery globally to develop their own keynote activities to suit their particular circumstances and resources.
“The International Day of the Midwife is an occasion for every individual midwife to think about the many others in the profession, to make new contacts within and outside midwifery, and to widen the knowledge of what midwives do for the world.”
The theme for this year’s International Midwife Day celebration is “Midwives, Mothers and Families: Partners for Life!” Midwives everywhere are encouraged to understand that by working in partnership with women and their families, they can support them to make better decisions about what they need to have a safe and fulfilling birth.
Midwives are encouraged to make the day special by performing various tasks which include:
- Organising a concert, singing contest, karaoke
- Organise fitness events such as march pasts, races, street walks, etc.
- Organise meetings, workshops or conference to educate the public about new developments in midwifery and exchange news with other midwives around their region.
Midwives around the world work hard every day to ensure mothers and their families receive the quality care they deserve. This year, midwives and student midwives across the world are encouraged to hold externally facing events in support of IDM 2017.
This day is an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of partnership between midwives, mothers and families, for indeed – midwives, mothers and families are partners for life!