International Day of the Midwife

The International Day of the Midwife is annually celebrated on 5 May, and was established in 1992 by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) to celebrate and raise awareness about the midwifery profession.^{[1][2][3]: 69, 70}

International Day of the Midwife
Social media graphic for the 2023 International Day of the Midwife
Observed by	International Confederation of Midwives
Date	5 May
Next time	5 May 2024 (2024-05-05)
Frequency	Annual
First time	1992

The occasion is observed by over 50 nations around the world,^[2][4] as well as international organizations such as the WHO and UNFPA.^[5][6][7] A theme is chosen every year. For instance, the 2023 theme was "Together again: from evidence to reality".^[4][8] Social media graphics packages were distributed by the ICM to encourage online advocacy.^[9]

The events of the celebration often include seminars and social gatherings for midwives, among other activities. For example, the 2011 celebration in Malta included a five-kilometer public demonstration from Pietà to St. Julian's to raise public awareness, followed by a seminar about lactation and skin care for new mothers, and a "wine-and-dine" social event.^[10] In the 2023 celebration in Maryland County, Liberia, the midwives met with local schoolchildren.^[11] The events are sometimes held remotely via video conference.^[4] On 5 May 2022, the Bristol and Belfast city halls lit up in berry and tangerine, the colors of the Royal College of Midwives, to mark the occasion.^[4][12]

References

1. "The Important Role of Midwives Highlighted During HMC Organized International Day of the Midwife Celebrations". Al Bawaba. 7 May 2018. from the original on 13 May 2019.
2. "Celebrate International Day of the Midwife!". North American Registry of Midwives. 4 May 2023. from the original on 28 May 2023.
3. Varney, Helen; Kriebs, Jan M.; Gegor, Carolyn L. (2004). Varney's Midwifery (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN 9780763718565.
4. "International Day of the Midwife 2023: When is it, theme, and how to join virtual Day of the Midwife event". Edinburgh Evening News. 5 May 2023. from the original on 17 May 2023.
5. "International Day of the Midwife". UNFPA. 5 May 2023. from the original on 18 May 2023.
6. "Celebrating International Day of the Midwife". WHO. 5 May 2021. from the original on 11 March 2023.
7. "International Day of the Midwife, 5 May 2021". WHO Africa. 5 May 2021. from the original on 28 May 2023.
8. "Wonder Women: International Day of the Midwife — we need more midwives". Whanganui Chronicle. 1 May 2023. from the original on 11 May 2023.
9. "International Day of the Midwife 2023: What is this year's theme?". Yahoo Lifestyle. 5 May 2023. from the original on 6 May 2023.
10. "International Day of the Midwife". Times of Malta. 22 May 2011. from the original on 28 May 2023.
11. "Maryland Midwives Celebrate International Day of Midwife". The New Dawn. 8 May 2023. from the original on 18 May 2023.
12. "Belfast City Hall lit up for IDM 2022". Royal College of Midwives. 5 May 2022. from the original on 8 April 2023.

External links

• Official website for 2022
• Official website for 2023