International Day of the Midwife

This day recognises the vital role midwives play in maternal and newborn health. It’s an opportunity to appreciate healthcare workers and raise awareness of maternal care.

Midwives perform a vital service in providing care and support to women and their families while pregnant, throughout labour and during the period after a baby’s birth.  

On this day, we celebrate the role of midwives across the WHO European Region, recognizing in particular the importance of educating, training, regulating and licensing midwives to improve quality of care and to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.  

We also showcase WHO/Europe’s work in raising levels of midwifery education in the Region; creating evidence-based knowledge on midwifery; and influencing national policies that will lead to the provision of high-quality, accessible, equitable, efficient and sensitive health services.