Workshops

WORKSHOP #1

Improving Midwifery Regulation: From Standards to Action

Strong regulation shapes safe, high-quality midwifery care. This interactive workshop focuses on the country-level, the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Regulation and key resources. Participants will apply the standards in practical exercises, focusing on strengthening and improving pre-service midwifery education.

WORKSHOP #2

Developing Strong Midwife Faculty

Quality midwifery education depends on strong, supported faculty. This interactive workshop introduces the ICM Global Standards for Midwife Faculty Development and their practical use. Participants will explore country examples, apply the Standards to strengthen faculty development, enhance education quality, and support safe, high-quality midwifery care for women, newborns and adolescents.

WORKSHOP #3

From Preparedness to Response: Midwives in Humanitarian and Climate Contexts

This interactive workshop brings midwives from humanitarian and climate-affected settings together to examine how conflict, disasters, and climate change are reshaping maternal and newborn care. Through scenarios and shared reflection, participants will explore system disruption, evolving midwifery roles, preparedness gaps, and strategies to strengthen support, coordination, and recognition across diverse global contexts.

WORKSHOP #4

Building the Movement for and With Women: PUSH for rights, for women, for midwives

This interactive session introduces the movement for woman-centred care and midwives. Participants will learn practical advocacy tools and discuss who holds power, and how to build coalitions to influence improvements in SRMNAH services. We will discuss collaborating with civil society and social media influencers to raise awareness about who midwives are and what they do. Participants will explore how to integrate midwives within gender equality, human rights, and climate advocacy agendas.

WORKSHOP #5

Champions of Choice: Midwives Advancing Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care

This interactive workshop explores the full scope of midwifery practice in family planning and comprehensive abortion care, guided by the ICM Essential Competencies. Drawing on learning from the C4W project, participants will examine workforce optimisation, interprofessional collaboration, and advocacy strategies that strengthen enabling environments and expand women’s reproductive rights and access to essential services.

WORKSHOP #6

The Reality of Transitioning to Midwife Models of Care

This interactive workshop explores the stark reality of implementing midwife models of care as a best-practice approach, examining its benefits, implementation requirements, and sustainability. Through focused discussion, participants will analyse key transitions, barriers, and enablers to establishing midwifery models across diverse healthcare settings.

WORKSHOP #7

Leading from Where You Stand: Strengthening Midwifery through Leadership

Strong midwifery leadership drives better health outcomes, a stronger profession, and more resilient health systems. This interactive workshop invites participants to reflect on their leadership impact and explore ICM leadership initiatives, including the draft Leadership Competencies and leadership development programmes. The Global Chief Midwives Study findings will shed new light on why the Chief Midwife role is essential in strengthening leadership capacity and advocating for effective midwifery leadership roles.

WORKSHOP #8

Over-Medicalisation in Childbirth: Myth to Reality

This workshop examines rising rates of obstetric interventions globally, including caesarean sections. Drawing on current evidence, this workshop will feature a panel discussion to explore links with maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, distinguishing lifesaving care from unnecessary intervention. Centering women and newborns, the workshop will also provide participants with advocacy strategies to promote collaborative, respectful care that ensures safety and positive birth experiences.