When: 5 May
Where: In maternity units and through virtual events across the globe
Theme: Together again: from evidence to reality
On Friday 5 May midwives across the world will be celebrating International Day of the Midwife 2023. This time of celebration honours the efforts of midwives and their associations to action critical evidence like the State of the World’s Midwifery (SoWMy) 2021 towards meaningful change for our profession and the women and families we care for. We hope that midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives across the globe celebrate in unison.
Over the past two years, midwives, maternity support workers and student midwives have met extraordinary circumstances and risked their lives to provide excellent care to women and their families. Now is the time to not only celebrate how they’ve been there for our communities throughout the pandemic, but to show up for them in calls to the Government to put money where it counts and invest in maternity.
We will be sharing as much as we can to spread the empowering solidarity of midwives across the nation.
We are hosting our own webinar on 4 May. 'Together again: midwives in solidarity' is free to attend and will honour the efforts of midwives and their associations to action critical evidence towards meaningful change for their profession and the women and families they care for.
Here are some additional resources you may find useful:
Please email your organiser with the details of your event including date and if you'd like an RCM member to attend.
Use #IDM2023 across social media
Northern Ireland:
Scotland:
Wales:
Northern England:
Midlands:
London:
[email protected]
Southern England:
Download your eye catching bunting available here as a print ready PDF. This file contains three bunting designs to decorate your surroundings.
Please note these files are available to download and print only. Hard copies are not available for order
Download the RCM branding guidelines and RCM core colours for advice on how to use the RCM brand when producing materials for your event collateral, alongside the RCM logos.
Download the RCM knitting pattern here
*The pattern is easily resized by doubling/tripling squares where needed
Download an IDM poster for your notice boards and reminder yourself and each other that 5 May is International Day of the Midwife.
We have created this easy guide for members with some ideas for your IDM celebrations.
To celebrate IDM we are asking all RCM staff, activists, members and supporters to request their local town hall, civic building or landmark to be lit up in RCM colours on the 5th May. Last year Belfast City Hall and Bristol City Hall were successfully lit up in support of IDM in RCM colours.
Click here to see Belfast City Hall lit up for IDM 2022.
If your Branch has held a virtual event to celebrate International Day of the Midwife send your pictures/videos and a short paragraph about your celebration/event along with the name of your branch to [email protected] and use the hashtag #IDM2023 across your social media platforms
Every year since 1992 on 5 May the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) leads a day of global recognition and celebration of the work of midwives which is observed by more than 50 nations and co-ordinated by the ICM in partnership with its member organisations.
Find out more via the ICM here.
Virtual IDM Conference 5 May
The Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) is an annual online conference that celebrates IDM on or around 5 May. VIDM runs for 24 hours and covers a wide range of subjects with speakers from around the globe. It uses online conferencing software to bring together people who have an interest in childbirth matters – midwives, students and the wider public - all completely free. Book today.