Some highlights about the wide ranging events and activities organized by CAM Global partners for IDM 2024: Association des Sages-Femmes d’Haïti (ASFH), Puntland Association of Midwives (PAM), The Somaliland Nursing and Midwifery Association (SLNMA), The South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association (SSNAMA) and The Somalia Midwives Association SOMA.
Association des sage-femmes d’Haiti (ASFH)
Over 120 midwives and their allies participated in person in Port-au-Prince and virtually from across the country and internationally for a morning of keynote presentations and panel discussions during ASFH’s 2024 IDM celebrations. The theme for 2024 was ‘Midwives in Haiti: Agents of Solutions in the Socio-political Crisis.’
Puntland Association of Midwives (PAM)
Over 50 midwives and allies including representatives from various government ministries in Puntland , health councils, NGOs, and midwifery experts, participated in PAM’s International Day of the Midwife event held at the Martisoor Hotel in Garowe. The event, led by PAM’s Executive Director Najma Abdirisak aimed to raise awareness of midwives’ crucial role in communities, foster collaboration among senior and junior midwives as well as other stakeholders, and promote Respectful Midwifery Care.
Somaliland Nursing and Midwifery Association (SLNMA)
Over 100 midwives, community leaders, policy makers, journalists, midwives and student midwives came together to celebrate midwives and hear about challenges they face, the progress made and call attention to the improvements still needed to ensure that all women in Somaliland and around the world have access to a qualified midwife. Among the speakers were UNFPA, MoHD (Minister and M.jeh Regional medical officer), Edna Aden, SLNMA (former Executive Director of SLNMA), HIOHS Director, SLNMA staff and Midwives.
South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association (SSNAMA)
The South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association hosted a virtual IDM event focusing on the ‘Role of Midwives for a Healthier Planet and Communities’. Over 70 supporters participated. SSNAMA’s Executive Director, Agnes Juan Silver, and Chairperson, Repent Khamis, featured on EYE Radio to discuss the crucial role of midwives in promoting healthier communities and ensuring the well-being of families.
Somalia Midwives Association (SOMA)
SOMA’s IDM event at Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu welcomed over 300 guests, including midwives, university deans, hospital directors, and government officials. The 2024 event centered on midwifery and its connections to climate change, aiming to raise awareness while complemented by musical entertainment from the Iftin Band. The event featured training sessions, panel discussions, and a live TV program led by SOMA members. Media coverage was extensive, with five outlets capturing the proceedings.
Tanzania Midwives Association (TAMA)
TAMA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and maternal health partners commemorated IDM event on May 5.The event was held at Julius Nyerere Convention Center in Dar es Salaam. The guest of honour was the Prime Minister of Republic of hon. Kassim M. Majaliwa(MP) who was also accompanied by the Minister of Health Hon. Ummy Mwalimu(MP), the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner hon. Albert Chalamila ,Helen Fytche-head of Cooperation at Canadian High Commission & UNFPA Deputy country representative Melissa McNeil-Barrett.
Prime Minister Kajaliwa was impressed with the ” extraordinary contributions that midwives play” and highlighted their a crucial role in responding to the climate crisis providing essential care in times of climate related disasters. The Minister of Health stated that “it’s high time that ,midwifery profession considered as a stand alone cadre.” The event was attended by 650 participants and was sponsored by @global.affairs.canada
