Day one of the 34th International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Congress in Lisbon was unforgettable. It didnāt begin in a lecture hall, but in the streets, with a powerful, collective march calling for One Million More Midwives.
More than 1,000 midwives have come togetherāparteras, matronas, Ī¼Ī±ĪÆĪµĻ, and so many moreāeach voice adding to a shared call for change. Together, we are advocating for more midwives, safer births, dignified care, and the critical importance of safe staffing. The message echoes clearly: safe staffing = safe care.
What stands out most today is the atmosphere. The march feels like a wave of colour, life, light, and passion moving through Lisbon. Traditional dress flows alongside banners and placards, music pulses through the crowd, and dancing breaks out at every corner. Itās vibrant, energising, and deeply moving all at once.
It would be easy to focus only on the challenges facing maternity care globally and they are real and urgent but surrounded by midwives it reminds me that there is also hope. There is joy in this work. There is power in togetherness. Advocacy here doesnāt feel heavy; it feels alive, creative, and unstoppable.
Standing among midwives from around the world, I feel both grounded and inspired. We are different in language and culture, yet completely united in purpose. There is something profoundly reassuring in that shared commitment.
As the Congress prepares for the opening ceremony one thing is already clear: this congress is not just an event, itās a movement. And the MarchĀ has set the tone together, we can push for change, amplify our voices, and shape a safer future for women, babies, and families everywhere.
#rcmxicm34
