The role of advocacy in midwifery:
Unpacking the career of a maternal health champion to understand the historical and inextricable link between midwives and advocacy
Advocacy is innate to midwifery. Since the earliest days of the profession midwives have witnessed and experienced the challenges faced by women at birth beyond and have communicated those challenges to community leaders. The history of midwifery is therefore inextricably linked with movements to expand women’s rights and bodily autonomy, and as we celebrate ICM’s centennial anniversary, it’s important to reflect on the role of advocacy in shaping our profession and advancing human rights.
To do this, we spoke with Angela Nguku — graduate midwife, founder of White Ribbon Alliance Kenya, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of White Ribbon Alliance and a passionate maternal, newborn and adolescent health thought leader and champion whose career spans over 17 years of dedicated work towards ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths globally. By walking us through her career, Angela highlights the changes she’s witnessed in how midwives practice and acquire advocacy skills and how these skills are becoming increasingly essential for young and up-and-coming midwives.
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Pass the Mic: Interview with Dr. George Parker on Trans-Centred Midwifery Care
Trans and non-binary communities endure systematic oppression and discrimination in healthcare, experience disproportionate levels of sexual violence, face higher rates of mental illness and suicide, and experience other health disparities, such as a greater risk of HIV. Trans and nonbinary people remain marginalised and endangered by healthcare systems that do not centre their needs, which often leads them to avoid healthcare services. However, an increasing number of trans individuals are seeking out midwifery care. Collectively, midwives can help transform the sexual and reproductive health care system to support the trans community.
In this volume of Pass the Mic, we seek to educate midwives on how midwifery care can centre the needs of trans and nonbinary people. Throughout Trans Awareness Week (13-19 November), stay tuned for video interviews uplifting the knowledge and power of trans and nonbinary midwives, advocates, and parents.
For a sneak peek, we’re bringing you our interview with Dr. George Parker (they/them), a P?keha queer non-binary researcher based on the K?piti Coast of Aotearoa. George is the Lead Investigator on the Trans Pregnancy Care Project, a national two-phase study understanding the need for trans, non-binary, intersex and takat?pui inclusive pregnancy and birth care through the Health Research Council of New Zealand. They are also a registered midwife, parent of two kids, and lecturer in health service delivery in the School of Health at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington. They are passionate about working towards gender inclusive and equitable pregnancy and birth care for all wh?nau.
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Are you ready for ICM Congress in Bali?
It will be six years since our last in-person, global gathering, and we are so honoured and excited to come together with you for this momentous occasion! The theme for the 2023 Congress, ‘Together again: from evidence to reality’ reflects our excitement for face-to-face engagement and points to the work we’re undertaking to implement the evidence which continues to demonstrate the investment case for midwives.
The 33rd ICM Triennial Congress is held in the Nusa Dua Compound. Strategically located in the Southeast of Bali, our centre is only 20 minutes away by car from the International Airport and has an easy access to transport by a taxi.
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| Have you found your accommodation yet? We have prepared a list of the available hotels on collaboration with us. |
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ICM Board visits Head Office in the Hague
This past week, ICM Board Members travelled to ICM Head Office in the Hague to meet in-person for the first time in their tenure. Not only was it an opportunity for the Board to meet and work together, but it also served as a chance for ICM Head Office staff to connect and build relationships with the Board.
“It was so important for the ICM Board to have the opportunity to connect in-person after years of travel restrictions,” said ICM President Franka Cadée. “We have accomplished a great deal this week, and we’ve grown closer and stronger as a team.”
A warm thanks to ICM Head Office Staff for hosting the Board for three productive, memorable days. A special acknowledgement to ICM Board Members, who volunteer their time and professional expertise to steer the direction of ICM.
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We’re hiring! Apply for one of these ICM vacancies
Chief Midwife: The Chief Midwife is a pivotal role for ICM as the figurehead for ICM’s midwifery expertise and policy positions. The Chief Midwife will be expected to represent the interests of midwives around the world, raising the profile of the profession and highlighting the significant benefits of a well-resourced, educated, regulated and enabled midwifery workforce.
Deadline: 14 November 2022
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Head of Midwifery and Association Strengthening Team: The Head of Midwifery and Association Strengthening Team (MAST) will lead and manage the Team to fulfil team (and individual) member responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in ICM’s annual operational plan and staff position descriptions. These include providing technical midwifery expertise (to internal and external stakeholders), developing and sustaining strong relationships with Member Associations, supporting the implementation of ICM’s Professional Framework for Midwifery and helping maintain ICM’s position as a leader in providing knowledge, resources, and support to the midwifery profession.
Deadline: 14 November 2022 |
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Associate Midwife Advisor (3 vacancies: Africa, South-East Asia, and Latin America): Midwife Advisors are central to the work of ICM as they are the midwifery technical experts at the Head Office. Their role encompasses providing technical advice (internally and externally); supporting the representation work of other ICM representatives (external volunteers); supporting advocacy and communications through ensuring key messages reflect midwifery; developing and updating midwifery policy and statements; managing development, review and update of ICM core documents including standards and position statements; representing ICM at various fora to bring ICM’s midwifery ‘voice’; contributing midwifery technical expertise to ICM-managed projects; liaising with and supporting capacity-building of Member Associations; supporting the development, dissemination and implementation of ICM’s professional framework at country, regional and global level; supporting ICM Board Members with representation and Member Association liaison; supporting the strengthening of ICM’s regions and the development of midwifery globally.
Deadline: 14 November 2022 |
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Have you donated to WithWomen Charity?
WithWomen Charity improves women's access to resourced, supported midwives by means of quality standards, global advocacy and unified action.
In May of this year, ICM announced a partnership with the newly launched WithWomen charity. WithWomen will raise vital funds towards elevating the practice of midwifery and improving the birth experience for women and birthing people everywhere.
WithWomen is the first global fundraising platform providing individual donors with the opportunity to directly support the life-enhancing, life-saving work of ICM and its more than 140 midwives’ associations.
The funds raised by WithWomen will be used towards:
- Strengthening the capacity of ICM midwives’ associations
- Strengthening education of midwives around the world
- Providing direct, financial support to member associations in need, particularly those impacted by climate and/or humanitarian crisis.
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Purchase the recently published book about the history of ICM!
For #ICM100, we're looking back at the #HistoryOfMidwifery 
In this recently published narrative of ICM's organisational history, authors Joyce Thompson, Joan Walker, Ann Thompson, and Margaret Peters explore their findings of ICM over the years, using available archival information about ICM and midwifery. The book highlights how ICM has strengthened and supported its member associations in order to protect, promote, and empower #midwives and women.
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