05/04/2026
This International Day of The Midwife theme is “One Million More” and we would like to introduce you to our FUTURE MIDWIVES!
Why One Million More Midwives?
Midwives provide essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services worldwide. They support women and gender diverse people before, during and after birth. They provide contraception, comprehensive abortion care, breastfeeding support, and ongoing care across the life course. Yet globally, there are not enough midwives, and many of the ones we do have are not enabled to work to their full scope of practice.
A recently published research study lays out new global evidence that clearly shows the scale of the challenge. The findings confirm that without urgent investment in midwifery education, employment, regulation, and leadership, countries will continue to face severe workforce shortages. These gaps translate directly into poorer outcomes for women, newborns, and families, and place unnecessary strain on already stretched health systems.
At the same time, the data is clear about the solution. When midwives are educated to international standards, properly regulated, fairly paid, and integrated into health systems, outcomes improve. Maternal and newborn deaths decrease. Unnecessary interventions are reduced. Care becomes more accessible, more respectful, and more cost effective. Investing in midwives is not only the right thing to do, it is one of the smartest investments a health system can make.
One million midwives is the estimated workforce needed globally to meet essential health needs. Behind that number are real people, real communities, and real opportunities to transform care.
SWIPE to see our future midwives and visit https://devotionmidwifery.com/meetthemidwives to learn more about our team!
