The Three Pillars for Global Midwifery

The Three Pillars for Global Midwifery

In the triennium between 2008-2011, the ICM developed a group of essential documents through hard work by the Board, guidance from consultants who directed expert task forces, and support and participation by ICM member associations. These documents describe the “Three Pillars” of midwifery, which are education, regulation and association—E.R.A. The Three Pillars are interdependent. The Three Pillars embody ICM’s vision to strengthen midwifery worldwide in order to provide high-quality, evidence-based care for women, newborns, and childbearing families and decrease maternal and infant mortality. The documents together comprise the global standard for midwifery. The global standards were endorsed by the ICM Council members.

ICM President Bridget Lynch said, “I am proud to say that we are now the first health profession in the world to have achieved global standards for the competency, education, and regulation of our workforce. These, alongside the information provided by the UNFPA’s State of the World Midwifery Report, will be essential to the achievement of each country’s maternal mortality target.”

You can imagine how thrilled I was to be selected to present my book material at such an auspicious meeting as this historic meeting in Durban, with midwives from around the world.

It was an honor and very exciting. The presentation was well received.

In addition, my mother had also traveled to South Africa—in part to hear me give my presentation on the international stage—and so I was doubly thrilled to have her in the audience when I gave my talk.  It was a very exciting and memorable day—and in addition, it was my birthday!