BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Virtual International Day of the Midwife - ECPv6.16.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://vidm.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Virtual International Day of the Midwife
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20250101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260505T200000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260505T205000
DTSTAMP:20260513T074447
CREATED:20260418T154844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260421T112523Z
UID:15809-1778011200-1778014200@vidm.org
SUMMARY:23 Anti-Racist Practice in Midwifery and Maternity Care: Using a Co-Constructed Case Narrative Approach to Professional Development
DESCRIPTION:Speaker:- Alys Einion \nFacilitator:- Caroline Maringa & Abigail Yamoaa Appiah \nAbstract:-  Introduction Structural racism is cited as a key issue in the social context of maternity care (Dayo et al\, 2022; birthrights.org) linked to quality care (Hoffman et al\, 2016)\, and increased risk (Dyer\, 2019). To counter structural racism in maternity services\, this project built on the work of Rogowsky et al (2025) to adapt a co-created anti-racist education resource for nurses into a training resource for maternity care staff and services\, in order to develop awareness of systemic racism changing the landscape of midwifery and maternity care. Aim: To demonstrate the effectiveness of a co-constructed educational resource for anti-racist maternity services. Methods The Plan\, Do\, Study\, Act model was used. Permissions were granted from NHS Tayside to access staff and to record information during and after the co-construction of the resource to evaluate its impact. The team organised a collaborative workshop for NHS Tayside maternity staff to co-develop a narrative to embed into an education resource. The experience of workshop participants was evaluated using a mixed-methods evaluation questionnaire. Results/Discussion Results demonstrate the effectiveness of process and outcomes of the resource development and signpost next steps for implementation of the staff development resource. Conclusion Co-Creation of development resources is a constructive way to improve organisational culture\, learning from and with each other whilst contributing to the wider knowledge base and improving midwifery for mothers/parents. \nCheck the time in your location here https://bit.ly/VIDM26-session-23 \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)\n				LinkedIn\n			\n				Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)\n				Bluesky\n			\n				Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)\n				Email\n			\n				Share on Threads (Opens in new window)\n				Threads\n			\n				Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)\n				WhatsApp
URL:https://vidm.org/event/23-anti-racist-practice-in-midwifery-and-maternity-care-using-a-co-constructed-case-narrative-approach-to-professional-development/
CATEGORIES:Policy initiatives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://vidm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/23-Alys-Einion.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260505T170000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260505T175000
DTSTAMP:20260513T074447
CREATED:20260418T150608Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T074108Z
UID:15783-1778000400-1778003400@vidm.org
SUMMARY:20 Addressing the crisis in Maternity Services in the UK: a collaborative approach to safe\, respectful care
DESCRIPTION:Speakers:- Sheena Byrom\, Claire Feeley & Anna Byrom \nFacilitator:- Elisa Segoni & Betty Osei-Ntiamoah \nAbstract:- UK maternity services are experiencing a growing crisis marked by rising intervention rates\, persistent inequalities\, increasing maternal mortality\, and escalating reports of trauma and loss of trust among service users. This paper presents the work of a national multidisciplinary collaboration of midwives\, obstetricians\, academics\, maternity care supporters\, and service users formed to address these challenges. The collaboration seeks to analyse contributing systemic factors\, integrate clinical expertise with lived experience\, and co-design strategies to promote safe\, respectful\, and evidence-based maternity care. \n Recent data show substantial increases in obstetric intervention in England\, with caesarean section rates reaching 44% and induction of labour occurring in over one-third of pregnancies. Despite this escalation\, improvements in maternal\, stillbirth\, and neonatal outcomes have not followed expected trajectories\, while inequalities persist. At the same time\, reports of traumatic birth experiences\, litigation\, and freebirth are increasing\, alongside diminishing access to midwife-led and out-of-hospital birth options. International comparisons indicate that maternity systems with lower intervention rates often achieve better outcomes. \n This initiative is grounded in robust UK and global evidence demonstrating that continuity of midwifery care and midwife-led models\, delivered in respectful collaboration with medical teams\, improve outcomes\, reduce unnecessary intervention\, and enhance experiences of care. We argue that a coordinated\, evidence-informed\, multidisciplinary response is urgently needed to re-establish collaborative\, midwifery-focused\, person-centred care as the foundation of safe and respectful maternity services in the UK. \nCheck the time in your location here  https://bit.ly/VIDM26-session-20 \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)\n				LinkedIn\n			\n				Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)\n				Bluesky\n			\n				Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)\n				Email\n			\n				Share on Threads (Opens in new window)\n				Threads\n			\n				Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)\n				WhatsApp
URL:https://vidm.org/event/20-addressing-the-crisis-in-maternity-services-in-the-uk-a-collaborative-approach-to-safe-respectful-care/
CATEGORIES:Policy initiatives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://vidm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20-Sheena-Byrom-Claire-Feeley-Anna-Byrom-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260505T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260505T155000
DTSTAMP:20260513T074447
CREATED:20260418T142940Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260421T113511Z
UID:15763-1777993200-1777996200@vidm.org
SUMMARY:18 Midwifery for All in the Age of AI: Ethical\, Equitable\, and Human-Centered Use of Generative Technologies
DESCRIPTION:Speakers:- Stefanie Podlog & Megan Koontz \nFacilitators:- Carla Avery\, \nAbstract:- As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly present in health care\, education\, and public information spaces\, midwives are encountering AI-generated content in both clinical practice and midwifery education\, as well as in advocacy and client-facing resources. This session explores how midwives can engage with generative AI in ways that are ethical\, equitable\, and firmly grounded in midwifery philosophy and human-centered care. \nThe presentation will explicitly address ethical considerations\, including but not limited to aspects of governability\, equity\, and accountability. An ethics-informed framework will be introduced to support responsible engagement\, with emphasis on critical appraisal\, transparency\, and alignment with professional values. \n Through guided examples\, participants will see how generative AI may be used for practical purposes such as education\, communication\, and reflective practice\, while modeling ethical prompt design. Clear boundaries will be maintained: this session does not replace clinical judgment\, provide medical advice\, endorse specific tools\, or address environmental impacts of AI. \n The aim is to support midwives in engaging thoughtfully with emerging technologies while protecting equity\, autonomy\, and the relational core of midwifery care. \nCheck the time in your location here https://bit.ly/VIDM26-session-18 \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)\n				LinkedIn\n			\n				Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)\n				Bluesky\n			\n				Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)\n				Email\n			\n				Share on Threads (Opens in new window)\n				Threads\n			\n				Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)\n				WhatsApp
URL:https://vidm.org/event/18-midwifery-for-all-in-the-age-of-ai-ethical-equitable-and-human-centered-use-of-generative-technologies/
CATEGORIES:Policy initiatives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://vidm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/18-Stefanie-Podlog-Megan-Koontz.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260505T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260505T115000
DTSTAMP:20260513T074447
CREATED:20260418T132217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260503T112247Z
UID:15735-1777978800-1777981800@vidm.org
SUMMARY:14 Strengthening Maternal Health through Midwife-Led Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Interventions in Climate-Affected Bangladesh: Evidence from Post-Cyclone Response
DESCRIPTION:Speakers:- Animesh Biswas\, \nFacilitators:- Jane Houston \nAbstract:- Background:  \n Bangladesh\, one of the seven countries most vulnerable to climate change globally\, experienced major health system disruption when Cyclone Remal struck the southern coastal region on 26 May 2024\, affecting 4.6 million people across 19 districts. In response\, UNFPA\, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and key directorates\, implemented a targeted sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) humanitarian response in three of the hardest-hit districts from 1 August to 19 December 2024. Objective: To assess the effects of midwife-led SRHR service delivery\, including maternity services at government primary healthcare facilities\, during the post-cyclone humanitarian response.  \n Methods:  \n Sixteen diploma-qualified skilled midwives were deployed for five months to 12 cyclone-affected union health facilities that previously had no midwives. All midwives were trained on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRHR in humanitarian settings. Service data were extracted from government facility registers for baseline (1 January 30 July 2024) and intervention (1 August 19 December 2024) periods for comparative analysis.  \n Results:  \n A total of 8\,510 SRHR services were delivered during the intervention compared to 2\,734 at baseline. First antenatal care visits increased by 284%\, normal vaginal deliveries by 293% (83 to 330)\, and first postnatal care visits by 984% (764 contacts). Referrals for maternal complications rose by 319% (43 to 180 cases)\, while family planning services increased by 115% (405 to 870). Midwife deployment also improved documentation\, community trust\, early risk identification\, and facility readiness.  \n Conclusion:  \n Midwife-led SRHR interventions during the post-cyclone response significantly strengthened maternal service access\, utilization\, and referral. \nCo-authors Abu Sayed Mohammed Hasan & Vibhavendra Singh Raghuvanshi \nCheck the time in your location here https://bit.ly/VIDM26-session-14\, \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)\n				LinkedIn\n			\n				Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)\n				Bluesky\n			\n				Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)\n				Email\n			\n				Share on Threads (Opens in new window)\n				Threads\n			\n				Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)\n				WhatsApp
URL:https://vidm.org/event/14-midwifery-students-experiences-of-competency-based-education-a-comparative-case-study-of-high-fidelity-simulation-and-traditional-laboratory-demonstration/
CATEGORIES:Policy initiatives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://vidm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/14-Animesh-Biswas.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260505T030000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260505T035000
DTSTAMP:20260513T074447
CREATED:20260415T151751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T100613Z
UID:15642-1777950000-1777953000@vidm.org
SUMMARY:06 Let's Talk About It: Midwives leading change in dismantling Bullying and Racism in Practice
DESCRIPTION:Speaker:- Bupe Mwamba \nFacilitator:- Grace Mweni \nAbstract:- Bullying and racism in midwifery are widespread\, systemic problems that harm midwives\, the women\, neonates and families they care for. Racism operates at individual\, organisational and structural levels\, influencing who gets hired and promoted\, who is disciplined and whose concerns are believed or dismissed. Behaviours include rudeness\, mocking\, scapegoating\, unfair blame\, intimidation and deliberate isolation\, often embedded in hierarchies and toxic workplace cultures. They harm midwives\, undermine team safety and perpetuate inequities in maternity care and midwives themselves are now leading the change. The Problem Black\, Brown\, migrant and Indigenous midwives disproportionately experience discrimination\, exclusion and pressure to prove their competence. Bullying through rudeness\, unfair treatment\, scapegoating and isolation drives burnout and attrition\, worsening workforce shortages. When midwives fear speaking up\, communication breaks down and safety suffers. Racism operates at multiple levels: in hiring\, promotion\, discipline\, whose concerns are believed and how women from racialised communities are treated.\nMidwives Leading Change Midwives are naming these issues explicitly\, rejecting euphemisms like incivility. They are creating psychologically safe spaces like debriefs\, schwartz rounds\, anti-racism forums where experiences can be shared without fear. They are building alliances across racial and generational lines\, recognising that all midwives deserve respect and safety. \nWhat Change Requires\nAccountability: Leaders must acknowledge racism and bullying\, not dismiss them.  Structural change: Fair rostering\, transparent promotion\, reporting systems that are believed.\nEducation: Anti-racism training that goes beyond awareness to action.\nCourage: Speaking up\, supporting colleagues\, challenging normalised harm are what is needed to address this vice. \nCheck the time in your location here https://bit.ly/VIDM26-session-06 \nRecording TBA \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)\n				LinkedIn\n			\n				Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)\n				Bluesky\n			\n				Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)\n				Email\n			\n				Share on Threads (Opens in new window)\n				Threads\n			\n				Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)\n				WhatsApp
URL:https://vidm.org/event/06-perceived-professional-identity-and-role-stress-among-midwifery-students-in-south-central-mindanao-philippines-a-cross-sectional-study/
CATEGORIES:Policy initiatives
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://vidm.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/06-Bupe-Mwamba-.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR