What does #BlackHerstoryMonth have in common with

Throughout February, the US and other countries mark Black History month by celebrating Black individuals who have contributed to great leaps in human rights and acknowledging the continuing equity gap for Black communities across the world. One important and shocking inequity that prevails is the maternal mortality rate of Black women compared to that of other ethnicities.

The erasure of Black women's contribution to midwifery and the subsequent sidelining of Black women's pre and post-natal care are two sides of the same coin; they are symptoms of systemic racism, which prevails today and significantly contributes to senseless, preventable deaths of mothers.

This year’s International Women’s Day (08 March 2022), under the theme “Break the Bias,” asks us to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination; A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive; A world where difference is valued and celebrated. 

Beyond providing care and support to adolescent girls, women and birthing people across every stage of life, midwives are front-line defenders of women’s rights. They are and have always been at the forefront of advocacy work and social change within the fields of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, anti-racism and discrimination, and human rights. 

This #IWD, ICM calls on its global midwife community to link with women’s groups and share how crucial the work of midwives is to breaking down barriers to women’s rights and gender equality. Use the template letter below to reach out to your favourite women’s group and build a relationship. We’re working toward the same goals, after all! 

Want to serve on one of ICM's six Regional Professional Committees?

ICM is building six Regional Professional Committees to support in strengthening the midwifery profession regionally, globally, and in alignment with the ICM Professional Framework. As operational committees, the Regional Professional Committees will help to build positive working relationships and networks between midwife educators, midwife regulators, midwife researchers, emerging leaders and Midwives Associations (MAs) within regions. The Regional Professional Committees will help communicate and implement ICM’s work plans for strengthening midwifery education, regulation, research, and practice across and between ICM’s six regions. The Committees report to the Chief Executive.  

Please read the below Terms of Reference carefully to ensure that you are aware of the scope of work, roles and responsibilities, term of appointment, procedures and resources. Participation is voluntary.  

Chilean College of Midwives asks authorities not to violate healthcare rights of women in COVID-19 pandemic

Earlier this month, San José Hospital in Chile reconverted their Gynaecology ward to accommodate the rising number of COVID-19 patients. ICM member association, the Chilean College of Midwives, wrote a letter to their National Authorities, stressing that these types of decisions are made at the sacrifice of competent and quality care for women who may require clinical assistance for a number of reasons, including pregnancy and birth, gynaecological diseases, breast, cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer and reproductive questions, issues and losses. 

Midwifery recognises, defends and respects the human rights of all people, especially women and birthing people, and ICM supports our Member Association and shares their concern regarding the violation of the sexual and reproductive healthcare rights of women and the labour rights of midwives and all healthcare professionals supporting the provision of quality health services for Chilean women and their families.

Welcoming the National Midwives Association of Uganda to ICM!

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) is pleased to welcome a new Member Association, the National Midwives Association of Uganda (NMAU). NMAU is an association that aims to bring all midwives together, from both private and public sectors in Uganda. The NMAU steering committee was initially elected in 2016, the association was fully registered in May 2018, and the executive council was elected in 2019. 

NMAU has been endorsed by the permanent secretary ministry of Health for registration and has collaborated with the Uganda Ministry of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, the National Safe Motherhood Committee, Rotary, UNFPA and AghaKhan. Their focus on empowering, engaging and educating midwives in Uganda has been demonstrated through their commitment to programming including a Young Midwife Leaders League, midwife-led mentorship and continuous professional development sessions. 

NMAU President Annette Evelyn Kanyunyuzi says it was important to their association to join ICM for various reasons, including: 

• Empowerment 

• Capacity building 

• Advocacy 

• Advancement of midwifery autonomy 

• Promotion of evidence-based standards for midwifery for safe, respectful and quality maternity care

Join us at your upcoming ICM Regional Meeting and Workshop!

The representatives of our Midwives’ Associations will receive an invitation in the following weeks to attend one of six regional meetings and workshops on ICM’s updated Professional Framework for Midwifery. The meetings will take place throughout March and April.  

Each ICM MA, along with a specified number of its members, is invited to attend one of the above event dates. We can't wait to see you there!

Keep an eye out for the #IDM2022 Toolkit: Coming soon!

This year’s International Day of the Midwife is being celebrated under the theme, “100 Years of Progress.” As we approach this key day, ICM is pleased to support our Midwives’ Associations, midwives and women all over the world in their personal celebrations and advocacy. The Toolkit will include: 

• Sample social media messaging 

• Sample social media graphics 

• Tips on communicating with media 

• Tips on communicating and collaborating with Women’s Groups 

In the meantime, celebrate ICM’s 100th anniversary on your social networks with the #ICM100 Toolkit. 

Board Briefer - February 2022

Dear midwives, colleagues and friends, 

A warm hello to our members and midwives of the world. I am Ann Kinnear, ICM Board Member for the Western Pacific region.

The ICM Board met on 24 February 2022 with the main focus being on the governance policies which are to replace the by-laws of the ICM Constitution. ICM Council approved this action in June 2021 so this progresses one of the governance reforms. 

The Governance Committee chaired by the President, Franka Cadee, developed three policies which the Board approved. The first is about the ICM Confederation itself. This policy speaks to the structure of ICM providing information about the Board, Council, Head Office and details their roles and responsibilities as well as the processes required for meetings. 

The second policy is about the role of the ICM Board and Head Office. It sets out the purpose and governing commitments of the Board and how the Board will work with the Chief Executive and the Head Office. 

The third policy is about becoming a member of ICM. It sets out the criteria and categories of membership alongside the processes that govern membership including rights and responsibilities, application, fees, suspension and termination. 

A more detailed policy for the processes to elect the Board is under development establishing an Independent Election Committee. 

Reports were received from the Chair of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee, Vitor Varela Treasurer and the Chair of the Governance Committee, Franka Cadee, President. 

The Board was informed of the termination of three member associations following their previous suspension. 

Once again, the Board spent time in small groups getting to know each other better and build relationships. The Board has not yet met face-to-face since being elected in June 2020. We are very hopeful of doing so later this year. 

I hope this is helpful in understanding the current work of the Board.