On May 5, a meeting dedicated to the International Day of the Midwife was held at the initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office in Tbilisi. This year’s theme was: “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis.”

The aim of the meeting was to highlight the role of midwives in providing care for pregnant women and ensuring maternal health, to discuss the projects and cooperation opportunities of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in the Europe-Eurasia region, and to promote the development of modern and high-quality training programmes for midwives.

Mariam Bandzeladze, Head of the UNFPA Georgia Country Office; Irina Javakhadze, Head of Health Ministry's Policy Department, and Natalia Khachidze, President of the Association of Midwives of Georgia have addressed the participants.  

The International Day of the Midwife has been celebrated since 1992 to highlight their important contribution to the protection of women's reproductive health and rights.

Midwives provide safe delivery, ante/post-natal care, family planning services, and support for survivors of gender-based violence. They also play a vital role in promoting breastfeeding and raising public awareness of reproductive health. 

In humanitarian settings, midwives are often the first to assist mothers and newborns, especially in areas where access to health services is limited. By detecting maternal and new-born health risks early and managing complications, midwives can save lives. 

However, the world is still facing an acute shortage of qualified midwives, with nearly one million more needed - equipped with the knowledge and skills essential for effective practice.

In Georgia, the professional development of midwives faces a number of challenges: workforce shortages, low professional recognition and remuneration, inconsistent quality of care (particularly in rural areas), and limited access to continuing professional education.

The International Day of the Midwife is a reminder of the crucial role midwives play in ensuring continuity of care for mothers and newborns - especially among the most vulnerable groups. Empowering midwives must be a priority for the development of the national health system.

Today, it is essential to recognize midwifery as the vital health profession and to ensure their full involvement at all levels of maternal care.