"One million more midwives" - that was the motto of the 34th International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Congress in Lisbon, Portugal. On the margins of the Congress, on 14-15 June, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and ICM, EPF organised a Parliamentary Forum bringing together more than 20 Members of Parliament and political leaders from over 15 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America. 

Alongside ministers, technical experts, representatives of international organisations and leaders of national midwifery associations, the Parliamentarians discussed how they can help address the global shortage of one million midwives and strengthen maternal and newborn health. Slowing progress in reducing maternal mortality, increasing pressure on health systems and growing workforce shortages; the participants shared experiences, discussed common challenges and considered how parliamentary tools can be used to strengthen education, regulation, retention and leadership within the profession, as well as the role of midwives in humanitarian and fragile settings. 

Midwives as an Investment for a Healthier Future

During the Parliamentary Forum one key aspect was highlighted by several speakers: No matter where in the world and investment in midwives is an investment in the future. According to ICM one million additional midwives in the world could prevent almost 70% of all stillbirths as well as maternal and newborn deaths, potentially saving up to 4.3 million lives every year by 2035. In turn, this also means great economic returns which are up to 16 times higher than the investment. Positive examples from Portugal and Ethiopia were shared and analysed, showing: Progress does not only depend on technical solutions, but also on political commitment, legislation and sustained investment.

"Investment in midwifery should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment in healthier societies and stronger economies."

(Hon. Hanna Maria Katariina Sarkkinen, Member of Parliament, Finland) 

One of the strengths of the Forum was the opportunity for Members of Parliament from different regions to exchange experiences and learn from one another. Learnings included: 

• Presenting investment in midwifery not as a cost but as an investment in healthier societies and stronger economies to guarantee sustained investment.
• The importance of strengthening education, regulation and retention, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
• The role of universal health coverage and strong primary healthcare systems in improving newborn health outcomes and gender equality.

Competency-based education, robust regulatory frameworks and continuing professional development and leadership emerged as recurring themes throughout the Forum. Members of Parliament considered how legislation and parliamentary oversight, translating commitments into policies, budgets and implementation, can help create the conditions for a stronger and more resilient health workforce. This is especially relevant for countries that are too dependent on external financing and do not offer enough incentives to midwives. Therefore, many MPs highlighted the need to include more experts from the field such as midwifery associations in decision-making structures. 

Through first-hand insights from midwifery associations and acting midwives from Ethiopia and the Ukraine the Parliamentarians also focused on midwifery access in humanitarian and fragile settings, which account for a large share of maternal and newborn deaths. War-torn areas, climate catastrophes - especially in these settings more midwives need to be supported as they operate under extremely difficult cirumstances.

Shared Commitment: Maternal and Newborn Health as Priorities for Political Agendas

The Forum demonstrated the importance of bringing together parliamentarians, technical experts and professional leaders to identify practical solutions and strengthen political support for midwifery. The more than 20 Members of Parliament and political leaders agreed this approach should also be followed when working towards a stronger health care system that supports midwives. They stressed their own responsibility and accountability as Parliamentarians for they play an essential role in ensuring that investment in midwifery translates into stronger health systems and better outcomes for women, newborns and communities.