As Inaugural and Emeritus Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, I am proud to have signed and to stand in support of ICM’s global campaign, One Million More, a call to action urging governments and leaders to invest in one million additional midwives by June 2026.

This petition seeks to address the urgent global shortage of midwives and to secure the resources, education, and professional support necessary for them to provide quality, respectful, and evidence-based care to women, newborns, and families. Midwives are essential to achieving universal access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services. Yet the world remains short of one million midwives, a gap that continues to cost countless lives every year.

ICM’s data and global partners including The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, affirm that scaling up the midwifery workforce could prevent the majority of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths worldwide. Each additional midwife represents a step toward equity, safety, and dignity for women and their communities.

The One Million More campaign is both a rallying call and a roadmap for sustained investment in this indispensable profession. It reminds us that when midwives are educated, equipped, and empowered, families and nations thrive.

I invite all advocates of maternal and newborn health to add their voice by signing and sharing this petition ahead of the 2026 ICM Triennial Congress in Lisbon.

Sign the petition today

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