International Women’s Day 2021: #ChooseToChallenge

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The theme of IWD 2021 campaign theme: #ChooseToChallenge

International Women’s Day & Health (Key message)

• Evidence shows that achieving universal coverage through midwife-led care could avert 67% of maternal deaths by 2030. Today is #IWD — an opportunity to remind global and national leaders that investing in #midwives means investing in women and the future of our global community.
• Providing women with choice is at the heart of a midwives’ work. On this #IWD, we celebrate birthing women everywhere and the evidence on midwife-led care as a vehicle for a woman’s agency before, during and after childbirth.
• Midwifery is the feminist health profession and as such, #midwives are well poised to stand beside women in their campaign for #SRH autonomy and #genderequality. Investing in midwives is investing in women, and a healthier future for all — happy #IWD!
• Happy #IWD to women everywhere! #DidYouKnow the bond between a woman and her midwife sets the foundation for a positive birth experience, resulting in improved maternal + newborn health outcomes & strengthened communities. To support women, we must support + invest in #midwives.
• Throughout #COVID19, midwives have been at the centre of protecting pregnant women, upholding their rights to a positive birthing experience and defending their sexual and reproductive autonomy.
• Happy #IWD to all women, and to their midwife protectors.