A Midwife Like Me from Medical Aid Films on Vimeo.
A film produced in partnership with the International Confederation of Midwives showing the incredible work midwives across the world are doing to inform and empower women and their families.
ICM’s Mission indirectly relates to structural poverty reduction through its focus and activities. ICM advocates for the education of girls and women (MDG 2), the empowerment of women and midwives, through education. This enables economic independence, sexual and reproduction health rights in deciding; when, if and how they become pregnant. There is a globally acknowledged inequity in access to skilled professional midwifery attendants; the poor and marginalised being disadvantaged. ICM’s Mission focuses on ensuring that all women, irrespective of their economic status, have access to midwifery care . This is a key factor in achieving the reduction in Maternal Mortality (MDG 5) and reduction in infant and child mortality (MDG 4).
“The world focuses on maternal health because saving women stimulates the economy, bolsters communities and strengthens families. Women’s unpaid work equals about one third of world GDP; when a woman dies, children risk of dying within two years increases tenfold.”
Key midwifery concepts that define the unique role of midwives:
- partnership with women to promote self-care and the health of mothers, infants, and families;
- respect for human dignity and for women as persons with full human rights;
- advocacy for women so that their voices are heard;
- cultural sensitivity, including working with women and health care providers to overcome those cultural practices that harm women and babies;
- a focus on health promotion and disease prevention that views pregnancy as a normal life event.
See Kindred’s Birth and Pregnancy Resources