Ahead of the crucial Nairobi summit in November, ICM convened partners and midwives at its Africa regional conference to reaffirm their commitment to equitable quality Sexual, Reproductive Maternal, Newborn and Child and Adolescent health outcomes.
A commitment statement was written and signed by individual midwives. The statement has been sent forward to the upcoming ICPD25 Nairobi summit.
Each month we will spotlight one of our Young Midwifery Leaders (YML). This month, we would like to introduce you to Tekla Mbidi a young and enthusiastic professional midwife/nurse from Windhoek, Namibia who is currently working as a midwife-nurse educator at an institution of higher learning in Namibia.
Tekla's YML project is focused on advocating for respectful maternity care knowledge and practices among Namibian midwives. Her goal is to promote an enabling midwifery practice environment in which midwives and expectant mothers are treated in a dignified manner and where the rights of women and their babies are defended.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES CONFERENCE
The ICM President Franka Cadée attended the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) annual conference on 25 September in the UK.
"The evidence is clear. Access to the continuity of carer by a midwife who is educated to international standards ensures that women receive the right care at the right time." - Franka Cadée
ICM North America Regional Board Member, Emmanuelle Herbert, attended the United General Assembly side event Power on the Path to UHC 2030: Nurses and Midwives as Navigators, Innovators and Accelerators hosted by Jhpiego, the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, The International Council of Nurses, the United Nations Population Fund and Unitaid.
In her speech, Emmanuelle presented the stories of midwives who were working hard to deliver universal healthcare in their countries.
WOMEN IN GLOBAL HEALTH
ICM South America Regional Board Member, Sandra Oyarzo Torres attended the ‘Women in Global Health’ Breakfast Reception and the Happy Hour and Networking UNGA side events on 25 September in New York.
On 26 September, Sandra spoke at a panel discussion on Delivering on UHC: From the Guidelines to the Frontlines. She emphasised the role and impact of midwives within the primary health care system. While in New York, Sandra met with the Co-Chair of the New York Midwives Association.
FIRST TOUCH CHALLENGE
Applications are now open for the Midwife Touch Ambassador Recognition Award!