International Day of the Midwife is celebrated every year around the world on 5 May by Midwifery Associations in membership of the International Confederation of Midwives
On this day, midwives from all the organisations affiliated to the ICM express worldwide solidarity and take action to highlight the knowledge and skills of midwives, and the contribution midwives make to the health of their nations. In the UK the RCM organises events both to support Safe Motherhood and to promote the midwifery profession both in the UK and worldwide.
The first international day of the midwife was launched in May 1991 with the theme "Towards safe birth for all by the year 2000".
The RCM’s celebration of IDM 2009 will promote our Voices for MDG5 campaign, calling for more action to meet the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5) target: reducing by 75% the maternal mortality ratio and increasing the proportion of births attended by a skilled health professional by 2015. This is the area of least progress among all the Millennium Development Goals. At the global level, maternal mortality decreased by less than 1 per cent per year between 1990-2005. We ask UK Midwives to make their voices heard with us on 5th May.
Click here to find out more about Voices for MDG5
The RCM is working in partnership with The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood to promote their Million Mums campaign. We encourage RCM members to join this international coalition to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns. See www.whiteribbonalliance.org for more information on how to join, support and get involved.
How to celebrate IDM 2009
5th May is your day to celebrate your profession with other midwives across the globe. It is also a time to think about the difference we make and the lives of women who are without sufficient midwifery care. 5th May is your day to raise your voices to call for change.
Your RCM Branch will be receiving a pack with information and materials to help you organise your own celebration and campaign action for the day, including stickers and cot cards to help you share the celebration with the families you work with on the day.
Light candles for MDG5
We are calling for RCM Branches to draw attention to the Voices for MDG5 Campaign on 5 May by organising candlelit vigils outside your hospitals or wherever you can attract attention. Light candles together for the mothers who suffer and die needlessly. Your IDM pack from the RCM will include special printed candle holders to help draw attention to your action. (Make sure, of course, you check with the appropriate authorities and have permission for your demonstration.) We hope midwives across the UK will be joining you, wherever they work. You could invite your local media along to take a photo – your pack will include a template press release to help you organise your local campaign. Be creative – we look forward to sharing your pictures and stories from the day.
Raise money
Every year RCM branches make a real difference by using IDM to fundraise for The RCM Safe Motherhood Initiative and to support the work of ICM. Every penny raised helps support projects to improve the quality, safety and choice of care for women in the UK and internationally.
Find out more about global maternal mortality
IDM packs will include a copy of an inspiring DVD from White Ribbon Alliance. Get together with your friends and colleagues to experience this heart-rending film and share the stories with your friends and families.
Write to your MP
Making progress for MDG5 by 2015 will need political action. We need the UK government. We are asking you to write your MP to ask them what actions their party are taking to cut the number of mothers who are dying around the world. We want you to put pressure on Parliament to deliver the action needed now to achieve MDG5.
Contribute your voice
Voices for MDG5 is about the individual voices of midwives coming together to call for change. If you are moved by the stark facts we have presented or by watching the DVD, share your feelings with us. We also want to hear from midwives who have worked overseas and have experienced for themselves the challenging conditions suffered by women. Your messages and stories will help us to publicise the campaign.
Download the IDM Press Release here
Download the IDM 2009 poster here
Download the "I was born on IDM 2009" Certificate here
Download the template Press Release here
Download the template "Write to your MP" letter here
Download the Maternal Mortality Factsheet here
Download the Voices for MDG5 information here
Download the Voices for MDG5 candle holder here
Download White Ribbon Alliance's Million Mums information here
Download White Ribbon Alliance's Play Your Part Advocacy information here
Download the Merlin postcard here
For more information or to order the WRA DVD please contact Marketingofficer@rcm.org.uk
