International Day of the Midwife

The International Day of the Midwife is annually celebrated on 5 May, and was established in 1992 by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) to celebrate and raise awareness about the midwifery profession.^{[1][2][3]: 69, 70}

The occasion is observed by over 50 nations around the world,^[2][4] as well as international organizations such as the WHO and UNFPA.^[5][6][7] A theme is chosen by the ICM every year. For instance, the 2023 theme was "Together again: from evidence to reality".^[4][8] Social media graphics packages are distributed by the ICM to encourage online advocacy.^[9]

The events of the celebration often include seminars and social gatherings for midwives, among other activities. For example, the 2011 celebration in Malta included a five-kilometer public demonstration from Pietà to St. Julian's to raise public awareness, followed by a seminar about lactation and skin care for new mothers, and a "wine-and-dine" social event.^[10] In the 2023 celebration in Maryland County, Liberia, the midwives met with local schoolchildren.^[11] The events are sometimes held remotely via video conference.^[4] On 5 May 2022, the Bristol and Belfast city halls lit up in berry and tangerine, the colors of the Royal College of Midwives, to mark the occasion.^[4][12]