One
Million
More
Midwives

One Million More Midwives

The Theme Driving the 34th ICM Triennial Congress

The theme of the 34th ICM Triennial Congress, One Million More Midwives, reflects the urgent need for at least one million additional midwives at the global level to meet the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health (SRMNAH) needs of women and gender-diverse people. Using 2019 data, the latest State of the World’s Midwifery Report estimated a global shortage of 900,000 midwives. In the post-pandemic period, this number is certainly higher. The evidence shows that with at least 900,000 more midwives, we could prevent 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of newborn deaths, and 65% of stillbirths annually—saving up to 4.3 million lives every year by 2035.

Midwives are central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing critical health inequities. Yet, the world is far from having the midwifery workforce it needs.

The 34th ICM Triennial Congress in Lisbon, Portugal is a pivotal moment for midwives, midwives’ associations, and partners to come together to discuss ways to address this challenge at national, regional and global levels. Through keynote sessions, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, midwives will engage with critical topics, as well as share knowledge and global advancements in research, education, regulation, and practice that will benefit midwifery and SRMNAH care. The Congress will also provide a platform for midwives’ associations and midwives to learn, collaborate, and find ways to advocate for the resources and recognition needed to ensure the world gets one million more midwives.

There is also an opportunity to submit an abstract for the Congress (see ‘Abstract Submission’ above for more information).

The Story Behind the Congress Branding

The branding for the 34th ICM Triennial Congress is inspired by Portugal’s iconic tilework (azulejos), a vibrant part of the country’s history and culture. These decorative tiles, found on buildings across Lisbon, are more than just a way to decorate buildings—for centuries, they have been used to capture history, values, and identity.

Much like the tiles visualise different parts of Portuguese culture, our Congress tiles represent different aspects of midwifery. Some tiles feature symbols of midwives’ work or tools, and midwives’ relationship with women, while others show faces that reflect the diversity of the midwifery workforce. Together, they bring to life the Congress theme: One Million More Midwives. Just as tiles come together to create a stronger, bigger picture, every midwife has a role in creating a stronger, more vital profession. As we work toward the ambitious goal of ensuring one million more midwives globally, our Congress branding serves as a visual reminder of the collective action required to achieve this – piece by piece, midwife by midwife.

We’ve used bright, bold colours, including those commonly associated with Lisbon, to create a dynamic and meaningful design. We invite you to explore the details of each tile and discover the hidden elements – pinards, hands, birthing pools and stools, babies, contraceptives, and more, reflecting the strength, skill, and impact of midwives in every part of the world.