International Confederation of Midwives

International Confederation of Midwives is a global organization that represents the interests of midwifery and midwives worldwide, with a strong focus on promoting the health and well-being of women and newborns, as advocated by World Health Organization and United Nations Population Fund. The organization works closely with other global health organizations, such as UNICEF and WHO, to improve maternal health and reduce infant mortality rates, as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals. The International Confederation of Midwives also collaborates with professional organizations, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives and the Royal College of Midwives, to advance the profession of midwifery and improve healthcare outcomes for women and families, as supported by Bill Gates and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. With its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, the organization is led by President Franka Cadée, who has worked with European Midwives Association and International Council of Nurses to promote midwifery education and research, as recognized by University of Oxford and Harvard University.

● History

The International Confederation of Midwives was founded in 1919 by Belle Moskowitz and other pioneering midwives, including Justine Siegemund and Elizabeth Cellier, who were instrumental in establishing the organization's early goals and objectives, as documented by American Historical Association and British Journal of Midwifery. The organization's early years were marked by collaboration with other professional organizations, such as the International Council of Nurses and the World Medical Association, to promote the development of midwifery education and practice, as supported by Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole. Throughout its history, the International Confederation of Midwives has worked to promote the role of midwives in improving maternal and newborn health, as recognized by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The organization has also played a key role in shaping global health policies, including the WHO Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health and the UNFPA Strategic Plan, as acknowledged by European Union and African Union.

● Organization

The International Confederation of Midwives is governed by a Board of Management, which includes representatives from member countries and organizations, such as Australian College of Midwives and Canadian Association of Midwives. The organization has a number of committees and working groups, including the Education Committee and the Research Committee, which work to promote midwifery education and research, as supported by National Institutes of Health and Wellcome Trust. The International Confederation of Midwives also has a number of regional offices, including the European Regional Office and the Asia Pacific Regional Office, which work to promote the organization's goals and objectives in different regions, as recognized by Asian Development Bank and African Development Bank. The organization's work is supported by a number of partners, including UNFPA, WHO, and Save the Children, as acknowledged by Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela.

● Membership

The International Confederation of Midwives has 132 member countries, representing over 500,000 midwives worldwide, including members from American College of Nurse-Midwives and Royal College of Midwives. Member countries include Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and United States, as well as many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as recognized by World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The organization also has a number of associate members, including midwifery schools and research institutions, such as University of California, Los Angeles and University of Toronto, which work to promote midwifery education and research, as supported by National Science Foundation and Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The International Confederation of Midwives provides a number of benefits to its members, including access to midwifery education and research opportunities, as well as the chance to network with other midwives and healthcare professionals, as facilitated by International Council of Nurses and World Medical Association.

● Congress

The International Confederation of Midwives holds a Congress every three years, which brings together midwives and healthcare professionals from around the world to share knowledge and ideas, as supported by WHO and UNICEF. The Congress features a number of keynote speakers, including midwifery leaders and healthcare experts, such as Dr. Margaret Chan and Dr. Anthony Lake, who have worked with World Health Organization and UNICEF to promote global health initiatives, as recognized by Nobel Prize and Lasker Award. The Congress also includes a number of workshops and seminars, which provide opportunities for midwives to learn about the latest developments in midwifery practice and research, as facilitated by University of Oxford and Harvard University. The International Confederation of Midwives has held Congresses in a number of locations, including Prague, Vancouver, and Durban, as acknowledged by European Union and African Union.

● Global Outreach

The International Confederation of Midwives has a number of global outreach programs, which work to promote midwifery education and practice in developing countries, as supported by USAID and DFID. The organization's Global Outreach Program provides funding and technical assistance to midwifery schools and healthcare organizations in countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, and South Sudan, as recognized by United Nations and Red Cross. The International Confederation of Midwives also works with other organizations, such as UNFPA and WHO, to promote global health initiatives, including the WHO Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health and the UNFPA Strategic Plan, as acknowledged by Bill Gates and Melinda Gates. The organization's global outreach programs are supported by a number of partners, including Save the Children and Oxfam, as facilitated by International Rescue Committee and CARE International.

● Policy and Advocacy

The International Confederation of Midwives has a strong focus on policy and advocacy, working to promote the role of midwives in improving maternal and newborn health, as recognized by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The organization works with governments and healthcare organizations to develop policies and guidelines that support midwifery practice, as supported by World Health Organization and UNICEF. The International Confederation of Midwives also advocates for the rights of women and newborns, including the right to access quality healthcare and midwifery care, as acknowledged by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The organization's policy and advocacy work is supported by a number of partners, including UNFPA, WHO, and Save the Children, as facilitated by International Council of Nurses and World Medical Association. The International Confederation of Midwives has also worked with European Union and African Union to promote midwifery education and practice, as recognized by Nobel Prize and Lasker Award.

Category:Midwifery