International Midwives’ Day ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of International Midwives’ Day and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of International Midwives’ Day and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
In many parts of the world, midwives are the primary care providers for pregnant women and their families. They provide essential care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. In many countries, midwives also provide well-woman care, family planning services, and basic primary care.
International Midwives’ Day is celebrated on May 5th to recognize the vital role that midwives play in ensuring the health and well-being of women and families around the world. This day also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges midwives face in providing quality care.
There are currently more than 300,000 midwives worldwide, with the majority working in low- and middle-income countries. Unfortunately, due to a lack of investment in maternal health, midwives often lack the resources they need to provide quality care. This can lead to poor outcomes for mothers and babies, including higher rates of maternal and newborn mortality.
It is estimated that if all women had access to quality midwifery care, maternal mortality could be reduced by up to 70%. Investing in midwifery is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of universal health coverage.
On International Midwives’ Day, let’s celebrate the work of midwives and commit to ensuring that they have the resources they need to provide quality care to all women and families.