International Confederation of Midwives

International Confederation of Midwives
Name	International Confederation of Midwives
Formation	1919
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	The Hague, Netherlands
Region served	Global
Membership	National midwifery associations

International Confederation of Midwives is a global professional association representing national midwifery organizations and midwives across continents, promoting maternal and newborn health, midwifery education, and professional standards. Founded in the aftermath of World War I and related international efforts for health reform, the organization engages with intergovernmental bodies, nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions to influence policy, training, and practice. Its activities intersect with major global health initiatives and conferences, linking practitioners with agencies and funders.

History

The confederation traces roots to international post‑war health movements and early 20th‑century professional forums such as meetings associated with the International Council of Women, the League of Nations Health Organisation, and the Pan American Health Organization. Early congresses included delegations from national associations like the Royal College of Midwives, the American College of Nurse‑Midwives, and counterparts from France, Germany, and Sweden. Over decades the confederation interacted with milestone events including the World Health Assembly, the International Conference on Population and Development, and the Millennium Summit, adapting its remit through periods marked by the World Health Organization’s changing maternal health priorities and the rise of United Nations Children's Fund initiatives. Post‑2000, alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and collaborations with entities such as Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and academic centers like Johns Hopkins University and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine shaped modern programming.

Governance and Structure

The confederation operates under statutes ratified by member associations and guided by elected leadership including a President, Treasurer, and Executive Board, modeled after governance practices seen in organizations like International Council of Nurses and World Medical Association. Its secretariat is based in The Hague and liaises with regional offices, coordinating with legal frameworks in the Netherlands and international law institutions such as the International Labour Organization. Governance processes incorporate congresses similar to assemblies held by World Health Organization Member States, with standing committees on education, regulation, and ethics akin to committees of the Council of Europe and professional bodies like the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Membership and Regional Associations

Membership comprises national associations from regions aligned with regional entities such as European Midwives Association, Asia Pacific Confederation of Midwives, African Confederation of Midwives, and the Confederation of Latin American and Caribbean Midwives. National members include organizations such as the Royal College of Midwives (United Kingdom), the American College of Nurse‑Midwives (United States), and the Australian College of Midwives (Australia), extending to associations in India, Kenya, Brazil, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Regional groupings parallel structures seen in the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the European Union for policy coordination. Affiliated partners include student networks and specialty groups connected with institutions like University of Edinburgh and McGill University.

Programs and Activities

Core programs address midwifery education, regulation, workforce strengthening, and clinical practice improvement, implemented via training initiatives resembling those run by World Health Organization collaborating centers and NGOs such as CARE and Partners In Health. Activities include global congresses, capacity‑building workshops, competency‑based curriculum projects in collaboration with universities like Columbia University and University of Oxford, and implementation research in partnership with funders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and agencies like UNFPA. The confederation supports accreditation schemes, professional development, and emergency response contributions during crises akin to missions by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and humanitarian coalitions.

Policy, Advocacy, and Standards

The confederation develops policy positions, practice guidelines, and standards for midwifery practice that inform national regulation, echoing advocacy strategies used by organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on health rights. It engages with policy fora including the World Health Assembly, the United Nations General Assembly, and the Commission on the Status of Women to advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights, respectful maternity care, and universal health coverage initiatives aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3. Standards publications reference international instruments such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and contribute to competency frameworks used alongside those from the International Confederation of Nurses and the Global Health Workforce Alliance.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding and partnerships combine governmental donors, philanthropic foundations, multilateral agencies, and in‑kind support from universities and professional colleges. Key partners historically include World Health Organization, United Nations Population Fund, bilateral donors like UK Department for International Development and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, foundations such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and implementation partners like Jhpiego and PATH. Collaborative grants and projects often involve consortiums with academic partners including Harvard University, University College London, and regional training institutions, as well as partnerships with advocacy networks such as White Ribbon Alliance.

Category:Midwifery organizations