On May 5^th 2019, UNFPA will mark the celebration of the annual International Day of the Midwife (IDM).

The theme of this year’s celebration set by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) is: Midwives - Defenders of Women's Rights.

Objectives of IDM:

1. Inform everyone with an interest in maternal and newborn health that midwives are crucial to promoting maternal, newborn and adolescent health and in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity
2. Celebrate the achievements of midwives and their contributions towards improving sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health outcomes
3. Motivate policymakers to implement conducive workforce policies and an enabling environment for midwives to practice their profession in recognition of the unique professional role that midwives play

UNFPA plays a key role globally in partnering with ICM and other stakeholders to support governments and civil society organisations to strengthen the midwifery profession, thereby contributing to a reduction in maternal and newborn deaths.

For more on IDM and how you can support midwifery, please visit https://www.internationalmidwives.org/icm-events/idm-international-day-of-the-midwife.html