#WhatMidwivesWant Global Movement

May 5th – May 31th, 2021

We seek to amplify midwives ‘ voices. We are supporting midwives around the world to advocate for their profession. Midwives are an integral and inseparable component of the health care delivery system. They play a vibrant role in improving maternal and neonatal health worldwide. To ensure the incredible role of midwives, Maternity Today started advocacy on working conditions, challenges, resources and social attitude towards the profession2016.  In the month of May, Maternity Today will be focusing on drawing attention to the needs of midwives at the forefront of the pandemic, along with intersections that impede maternal and newborn health such as gender-based violence and female genital mutilation. Supporting Midwives at the Forefront of the Pandemic is supporting women’s rights around the world.

Follow along with our campaign using the hashtag #WhatMidwivesWant

Maternity Today has organized a #WhatMidwivesWant social media toolkit! The toolkit contains key messages about the campaign, sample posts for social media, and instructions on how to gear your social media towards the campaign. It is fully downloadable and Maternity Today encourages you to share these resources, messages, and sample posts within your own networks. This toolkit provides the opportunity to recognize and celebrate midwives globally while drawing attention to the key areas midwives need your help in through advocating. Please click the highlighted text to download the Social Media Toolkit

Why the Campaign?

Evidence shows that all too often midwives are not respected. In the largest global survey of midwifery personnel to date, “Midwives’ Voices, Midwives’ Realities”, 2,470 midwives from 93 countries reported feeling disrespected and disenfranchised in their personal and professional lives, which ultimately lead to dissatisfaction in all aspects of their lives. The report revealed that midwives are highly committed to providing the best care to women, babies and their families but are constrained by multiple barriers including a lack of an enabling environment, the absence of a fully functional team, insufficient integration of midwifery into and in support of the health system, a dearth of midwifery service referral mechanisms, inadequate pay, unsafe environments at work and at home, a general shortage of proper resources and supplies, and importantly, a lack of influence. Midwives are vital to ensuring women and their babies not only survive pregnancy and childbirth but live healthy lives.

Maternity Today is proud to support #WhatMidwivesWant, in partnership with the Improved Midwifery Care Access Initiative

We seek to amplify Midwives’ voices. We are supporting midwives around the world to advocate for their profession. Midwives are an integral and inseparable component of the health care delivery system. They play a vibrant role in improving maternal and neonatal health worldwide. To ensure the incredible role of midwives, Maternity Today started advocacy on working conditions, challenges, resources and society’s attitude towards the profession.

#WhatMidwivesWant campaign is run by young midwives, who want to be meaningfully involved in making a change to improve midwifery care, there are many ways to get involved! Shot a selfie holding a sign that says #WhatMidwivesWant, and tag @maternity_today to tell world leaders what you need to share, take a 45-second voice or video recording of your solutions, or support the movement.

We need your help to make positive, lasting changes for midwives around the world. Spread the word and join the movement!