December 5, 2024 • 24 mins
Jessica White, the Global Midwives’ Hub Lead from Direct Relief and the International Confederation of Midwives shares how her team engages a global network of midwives to use Esri tools to support data-driven advocacy and decision-making.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
From Esri, this is Engagement Matters, a show about people whose work depends on engaging
(00:10):
with stakeholders to make meaningful change.
No matter how you define your community, you can learn from the experts we talk to as
they share their stories about motivating groups of people to care about issues and
take action.
On today's show, we'll talk with Jessica White, who is the Global Midwives Hub Lead from Direct
(00:32):
Relief and the International Confederation of Midwives, as she shares her team's work
in advocating for and empowering midwives.
So first of all, Jessica, thanks for joining us.
I appreciate the time you're taking to talk to us.
Thank you for having this conversation about using GIS to support women's reproductive
(00:52):
health.
So before we get into the midwives and Direct Relief and all the great stuff we're going
to talk about, do you mind talking a little bit about how you got into GIS and how you
got into engagement in general?
Not at all.
I'd be delighted.
So for as long as I can remember, I've wanted to make the world a better place.
(01:14):
I studied marine biology in college with a focus on marine conservation, which I really
enjoyed.
But when I was at university, marine protected areas were starting to gain traction.
For those that don't know, marine protected areas are sections of the ocean that are set
aside for conservation purposes.
(01:35):
So they benefit biodiversity and the communities that rely on the ocean for their livelihood.
And when I first saw the marine protected areas on a map was really the first time that
I encountered GIS.
And it was one of those light bulb moments.
I could instantly see the power of GIS and its ability to utilize data for a real world
(01:59):
impact.
So from that point, I was utterly captivated by GIS and especially the way it combined
the scientific approach with creative visual outputs.
So this led me to dive deeper into GIS, and I eventually returned to school to get a master's
(02:21):
degree in the subject.
And throughout my studies, I kept coming back to this question, how can we use GIS to make
a real difference in the world?
This curiosity eventually led me to Direct Relief, which again, for those who are unfamiliar,
is one of the largest humanitarian medical aid organizations globally.
(02:46):
Direct Relief's mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty
or emergencies.
They operate in all 50 US states and in over 80 other countries, offering support based
solely on need, regardless of politics or religion.
Additionally, they have an excellent research and analysis team that does really interesting
(03:09):
and impactful work with GIS that I would highly recommend checking out.
So while working at direct relief, I was introduced to the International Confederation of Midwives
through a collaborative project.
I immediately connected with their focus on midwives and on women-centered care.
(03:29):
Some years later then, I was honored to be seconded to the International Confederation
of Midwives or ICM from Direct Relief in early 2024, which has allowed me to contribute my
skills in a place where that passion for GIS and for meaningful work can thrive.
I realize that was a bit more of just how I got interested in GIS, but that's kind of
(03:54):
my story from introduction to where I am today.
That's super interesting and I appreciate you sharing it.
It's always interesting to me to understand the things that motivate people.
I think most of us that have gotten into GIS are very storyteller-focused and impact-focused.
(04:15):
So it's just interesting to see how people approach the technology and their mission
to enrich the world or enrich their town or anything in between.
So you mentioned the International Confederation of Midwives.
Do you mind giving the overview of what they do?
Spoiler alert, you and I have already talked about this and midwives are not just about
(04:38):
delivering babies.
So that was a shocker for me.
Exactly.
And I think it is for a number of people getting introduced to the wonderful world of midwifery.
But you're right, midwives do so much more than just deliver babies.
So to start with ICM, they are an NGO that serves as the global voice for midwives and
(04:59):
midwives associations.
They were founded in 1922 and their mission is to advance midwifery as a profession and
to strengthen midwives associations worldwide.
Today ICM represents 136 national midwives associations across 117 countries.
(05:22):
National midwives associations support their members by providing access to localized training,
professional development and advocacy for them at the policy level.
So that's ICM.
So to talk a bit about midwives, they are some of the most wonderful people on the planet.
They play an essential role in health care, especially when it comes to sustainable community
(05:46):
centered solutions.
We know from research that midwives save lives.
Globally they can address about 90% of the essential sexual, reproductive, maternal and
adolescent health needs - that's globally.
So this means that their impact can be transformative, reaching far beyond childbirth to encompass
(06:09):
a full spectrum of community health support.
So while many midwives do focus specifically on women's reproductive health and delivering
babies, some are actually educators, researchers, regulators and leaders.
Importantly, midwives offer continuity of care, guiding individuals and families through
(06:33):
a variety of health needs, which again, save lives, prevent birth injuries and significantly
improve health outcomes.
So there's a holistic approach with the continuity of care and that's foundational to midwifery.
It goes beyond physical care.
It considers the emotional, psychological and social well-being of their patients.
(06:56):
Midwives provide women-centered care that is relational, personalized and deeply embedded
within the communities that they serve, which is offering an alternative to the medicalized
birth system, which often emphasizes standardized procedures over individualized community-connected
support.
I think that's super interesting and helps us understand how midwives are really about
(07:20):
health care in general and how they're so focused on families.
I'm glad that these folks, these midwives exist because I certainly would not be an
ideal candidate.
If you're making a map and you use the wrong color, no big deal.
You do it again versus like, oh wait, I just advised you in the wrong direction for your
health care.
(07:42):
That's a big problem.
So anyway, focusing a little bit more on ICM and your goals over time, it seems like your
mission really to support the midwives is all around advocating for them.
Can you talk a little bit about that?
Absolutely.
So advocating for midwives is one of our two major goals with this project.
(08:05):
A major challenge or as I like to call it, an opportunity is to clear up the public confusion
around what midwives actually do, especially in comparison to doctors or nurses.
As you mentioned, the stakes are high.
Midwives aren't just delivering babies.
(08:27):
Some focus on prenatal and birth care while others provide a much broader scope of service
like administering antibiotics, acting as primary health care providers and caring for
entire families.
They often serving as first responders in areas without easy access to hospitals.
(08:47):
So a major point of complexity here is the tension between what you might call traditional,
alternative and medicalized practices.
Midwifery has been around for thousands of years and in many parts of the world, midwives
are seen as traditional providers.
They're trusted and deeply embedded within their communities.
(09:09):
In parts of the US and elsewhere, however, midwives are often viewed as "alternative"
to the medicalized birth system.
Birth has been medicalized and can strip away the relational, personalized aspects of care
that many people seek.
In contrast, midwifery offers a more holistic approach that values each individual's experience
(09:34):
and supports natural childbirth.
Yet it's often misunderstood because it doesn't always fit neatly within the framework of
what we would call modern medical practices.
So to advocate effectively then, ICM is increasingly turning to data to clarify and support the
value of midwives.
(09:56):
Using data allows us to tell the stories of midwifery in ways that are not only inspiring,
but are also factual and educational.
This transparency helps us attract new people to the field, showing them the real data-backed
impact that they can have as midwives.
With clear data-supported narratives, we can demystify midwifery, address public misconceptions,
(10:22):
and help people better understand the vital role that midwives play in health systems
worldwide.
Also, a quick note on that.
I do believe that a lot of people think that midwives are only women.
And just to dispel that rumor, that's absolutely not true.
There are midwives, there are men that are practicing globally.
And again, it's all about that holistic, women-centered approach in providing care.
(10:47):
I think so often, you know, in our minds, we're used to seeing like, okay, it's "this
versus that," you know, midwives versus doctors.
And that's not the approach that you are taking.
It's "this and that," right?
And it's not about like trying to battle the medicalized industry or battle hospitals.
(11:08):
It's about like, what's the best thing for the individuals?
And what's the best thing for these women?
What's the best thing for these families?
Let's dispel all of these stereotypes and misconceptions that we all have and just do
the right thing.
Make sure that people are healthier.
I do think this is an important distinction to make.
(11:30):
It's about the doctors and the midwives working together collaboratively, right?
So if a woman presents a low-risk pregnancy, it's very likely that she can have a natural
childbirth, right?
Where she doesn't have to go through what we would call now more standardized medical
practices, right?
But when there is that complication, when it does become a high-risk pregnancy, absolutely
(11:53):
the doctors are so important and instrumental in helping that woman to have a safe delivery,
right?
Both for the mother and the baby.
So the question then becomes, how do we increase that collaboration and foster that connection
between each branch of medicine, if you will, or each medical health care provider can respect
the other one's roles and responsibilities and really have the focus of care come back
(12:19):
to the individual, right?
Come back to the woman who is seeking health services.
Yeah.
I mean, that makes total sense, who wouldn't want more expertise in the room, you know,
when you're going through one of the most intimate acts of life.
I mean, it just makes total sense.
And I think that really, again, based on what we've talked about before, I think that really
(12:46):
reinforces in my mind how you're just trying to empower midwives to drive the best outcome
that they can possibly drive.
Absolutely.
So advocacy really is just the beginning.
Our second goal then is empowerment, which goes hand in hand with advocacy, really.
(13:06):
Empowerment is about giving midwives the support and the resources that they need to care for
their communities effectively and confidently.
It's also about making sure that midwives have the tools to share their own stories
and experiences, which can help to break down those stereotypes that you mentioned and open
(13:26):
people's eyes to the essential role that they play.
So using data is a big part of this empowerment.
By gathering information that reflects the unique conditions in the different regions,
whether that is on a regional, national, or even a community level, we can build a clearer
(13:48):
picture of midwifery around the world.
So on the Global Midwives Hub, which we'll get into, there are some story maps that are
a great way to see this in action.
So you can look at these story maps and get access to a wealth of information, such as
facts and figures, including the number of registered midwives, educational institutions,
(14:12):
and midwives in leadership roles.
You can access key literature, like the State of the World's Midwifery Report, which provides
a snapshot of the global midwifery landscape as of 2021.
You can access data that midwives can use to create their own visualizations, maps,
(14:33):
and stories, and so much more, really.
So all of this content is available on our Global Midwives Hub, which serves as the central
resource for midwives around the world.
Empowerment through data, education, and connection is essential because it gives midwives the
tools to elevate their voices and to make informed decisions in their regions.
(14:58):
So I would say ultimately, advocacy and empowerment are really two sides of the same coin.
By advocating for midwives, we're also setting the stage for them to feel empowered, to take
ownership of their work, to share their knowledge, and make an even bigger impact within their
communities.
Yeah, I love that.
(15:19):
And as you're describing these things, it's so intuitive.
But I guess then the thing that immediately pops into my mind is the International Confederation
of Midwives has a global reach.
And with so many different data sets, so many different regions, the uniqueness of different
countries and cultures and all that kind of stuff, that must be, like, how do you eat
(15:44):
that elephant?
Like, that's a huge undertaking to try to take on.
I mean, are you, Jessica, flying to every single country and talking to all these different
folks and trying to curate all their information?
Or like, how do you do it all?
It's a great question.
And it's one that, you know, takes many brain cycles, if you will, to kind of think through
(16:06):
just because it is such a big world, isn't it, with so many different cultures and regional
differences.
So our goal, as we've noted, is to support midwives.
And we really want to address the issues that impact them most, no matter where they're
located.
But to your point, how do we understand what's most important to midwives in each region?
(16:30):
I don't have the ability to fly around the world to meet with them all, right?
So luckily, ICM has regional professional committees, or RPCs, and that's where their
role comes in.
We are so lucky to have these committees, which are organized into six global regions
(16:53):
that are aligned with the WHO's delineation.
So Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific.
Each of these RPCs is made up of a diverse group of educators, researchers, academics,
regulators, leaders, and of course, certified midwives.
(17:17):
Their role is to collaborate within their region, to understand the specific midwifery
landscape and to drive forward advocacy efforts that reflect the unique needs and challenges
of their area.
Working with the RPCs allows us to amplify their voices and act as a force multiplier,
(17:38):
making it easier to grasp the cultural, professional, and social needs of each region, rather than
trying to engage individuals one-on-one.
An opportunity that I'm thinking through right now is how to identify common themes across
all RPCs and regions.
(17:59):
What are the shared needs, challenges, and opportunities?
How can we curate and present data in ways that directly support these needs?
And what stories can we share that bring together this global network of healthcare professionals?
We know that we cannot answer every question.
(18:20):
And so the best course of action really is to identify the most common questions and
address them proactively through data, through visualizations, and through shared stories.
Ultimately, we want our resources to be accessible and intuitive so midwives can easily find
what they need without requiring advanced technical skills.
(18:43):
So this approach then allows us to empower midwives worldwide, offering them the tools
and the knowledge that they need to align their regional realities while fostering a
global connection.
So I assume that's where the Global Midwives Hub comes in, right?
Where you can provide that foundation that has a lot of the resources, that has the data
(19:06):
already curated and examples and all this other great content so that as a midwife,
you or I could go in there and just kind of build on top of what you have rather than
start from scratch.
Is that the idea?
That's exactly the idea.
So as we've talked about, we want to use the Global Midwives Hub to empower midwives to
(19:29):
effectively advocate for themselves.
We envision the Hub as a one-stop platform where midwives can access resources and use
data that's geography-dependent to address the unique challenges in their regions.
So we're both data people, love data.
(19:49):
Almost all of the data that we have is location specific, which is key for supporting the
RPCs and the midwives in every region with relevant information.
So for example, let's say I'm a midwife in Rwanda and I want to lobby the Ministry of
Health to allow midwives to administer antibiotics when they're necessary.
(20:11):
On the Global Midwives Hub, I can see data on which neighboring countries allow midwives
to administer antibiotics.
I can better understand the health policies of these neighboring countries and highlight
the public health benefits of a policy change.
I like to always remind midwives that I'm chatting with that data drives insights and
(20:33):
insights drive change.
So if we come back again to the RPCs, they are invaluable here.
They're the ones who know the local needs and can guide us in curating data and resources
so that these midwives don't have to start from scratch.
We're putting together tools in a way that's accessible for midwives who may be more comfortable
(20:58):
working let's say with amniotic fluid than with data.
The Hub reaches midwives across time zones and across languages and it uses geography
as a universal language to tell stories, share facts, and support advocating effectively.
And I mean really this is where GIS technology shines, right?
(21:21):
It helps us to gather, analyze, and present data in a way that tells compelling stories
and underscores the incredible impact that midwives have on public health.
So if I was to think of the dream with this project, it's already starting to come true
really.
I'm hearing midwives use terms like "quantitative" and "qualitative data" more options, which means
(21:47):
they're becoming more empowered to leverage this data themselves.
Midwives are asking how can they add their authoritative and validated data to the Hub,
which we're hoping creates a virtuous cycle of adding data, of using data, and then improving
the data and even adding more.
Looking ahead, I hope to see the Hub become a resource in educational institutions supporting
(22:11):
professional development for new midwives.
I'm envisioning more stories emerging from the RPCs that highlight challenges and successes
that we would have never thought to spotlight and a growing repository of regional and subnational
data curated by midwives globally.
(22:34):
Ultimately, we want more midwives to join this global community.
Right now, there are over 1.7 million midwives worldwide, and we know that we could save
4.3 million lives each year if we added 900,000 more.
(22:56):
The mission, this work of advocacy and empowerment, is about advancing the profession of midwifery,
to promote autonomous midwives as the most appropriate caregivers for childbearing women,
and to enhance health outcomes for women, their newborns, families, and communities
around the world.
That was Jessica White sharing her team's work advocating for and empowering midwives
(23:21):
through the International Confederation of Midwives and the Global Midwives Hub.
To learn more about the International Confederation of Midwives, and possibly even to become a
midwife yourself, visit internationalmidwives.org.
Also if you're interested in digging into the midwives' stories and their data, just
like Jessica talked about, feel free to visit globalmidwiveshub.org.
(23:48):
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a colleague and don't forget to check
out the other podcasts available from Esri, including "Field Notes" and "Reinventing Planning."
Learn more at Esri.com.
From Esri, this is Engagement Matters, a show about people whose work depends on engaging
(00:10):
with stakeholders to make meaningful change.
No matter how you define your community, you can learn from the experts we talk to as
they share their stories about motivating groups of people to care about issues and
take action.
On today's show, we'll talk with Jessica White, who is the Global Midwives Hub Lead from Direct
(00:32):
Relief and the International Confederation of Midwives, as she shares her team's work
in advocating for and empowering midwives.
So first of all, Jessica, thanks for joining us.
I appreciate the time you're taking to talk to us.
Thank you for having this conversation about using GIS to support women's reproductive
(00:52):
health.
So before we get into the midwives and Direct Relief and all the great stuff we're going
to talk about, do you mind talking a little bit about how you got into GIS and how you
got into engagement in general?
Not at all.
I'd be delighted.
So for as long as I can remember, I've wanted to make the world a better place.
(01:14):
I studied marine biology in college with a focus on marine conservation, which I really
enjoyed.
But when I was at university, marine protected areas were starting to gain traction.
For those that don't know, marine protected areas are sections of the ocean that are set
aside for conservation purposes.
(01:35):
So they benefit biodiversity and the communities that rely on the ocean for their livelihood.
And when I first saw the marine protected areas on a map was really the first time that
I encountered GIS.
And it was one of those light bulb moments.
I could instantly see the power of GIS and its ability to utilize data for a real world
(01:59):
impact.
So from that point, I was utterly captivated by GIS and especially the way it combined
the scientific approach with creative visual outputs.
So this led me to dive deeper into GIS, and I eventually returned to school to get a master's
(02:21):
degree in the subject.
And throughout my studies, I kept coming back to this question, how can we use GIS to make
a real difference in the world?
This curiosity eventually led me to Direct Relief, which again, for those who are unfamiliar,
is one of the largest humanitarian medical aid organizations globally.
(02:46):
Direct Relief's mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty
or emergencies.
They operate in all 50 US states and in over 80 other countries, offering support based
solely on need, regardless of politics or religion.
Additionally, they have an excellent research and analysis team that does really interesting
(03:09):
and impactful work with GIS that I would highly recommend checking out.
So while working at direct relief, I was introduced to the International Confederation of Midwives
through a collaborative project.
I immediately connected with their focus on midwives and on women-centered care.
(03:29):
Some years later then, I was honored to be seconded to the International Confederation
of Midwives or ICM from Direct Relief in early 2024, which has allowed me to contribute my
skills in a place where that passion for GIS and for meaningful work can thrive.
I realize that was a bit more of just how I got interested in GIS, but that's kind of
(03:54):
my story from introduction to where I am today.
That's super interesting and I appreciate you sharing it.
It's always interesting to me to understand the things that motivate people.
I think most of us that have gotten into GIS are very storyteller-focused and impact-focused.
(04:15):
So it's just interesting to see how people approach the technology and their mission
to enrich the world or enrich their town or anything in between.
So you mentioned the International Confederation of Midwives.
Do you mind giving the overview of what they do?
Spoiler alert, you and I have already talked about this and midwives are not just about
(04:38):
delivering babies.
So that was a shocker for me.
Exactly.
And I think it is for a number of people getting introduced to the wonderful world of midwifery.
But you're right, midwives do so much more than just deliver babies.
So to start with ICM, they are an NGO that serves as the global voice for midwives and
(04:59):
midwives associations.
They were founded in 1922 and their mission is to advance midwifery as a profession and
to strengthen midwives associations worldwide.
Today ICM represents 136 national midwives associations across 117 countries.
(05:22):
National midwives associations support their members by providing access to localized training,
professional development and advocacy for them at the policy level.
So that's ICM.
So to talk a bit about midwives, they are some of the most wonderful people on the planet.
They play an essential role in health care, especially when it comes to sustainable community
(05:46):
centered solutions.
We know from research that midwives save lives.
Globally they can address about 90% of the essential sexual, reproductive, maternal and
adolescent health needs - that's globally.
So this means that their impact can be transformative, reaching far beyond childbirth to encompass
(06:09):
a full spectrum of community health support.
So while many midwives do focus specifically on women's reproductive health and delivering
babies, some are actually educators, researchers, regulators and leaders.
Importantly, midwives offer continuity of care, guiding individuals and families through
(06:33):
a variety of health needs, which again, save lives, prevent birth injuries and significantly
improve health outcomes.
So there's a holistic approach with the continuity of care and that's foundational to midwifery.
It goes beyond physical care.
It considers the emotional, psychological and social well-being of their patients.
(06:56):
Midwives provide women-centered care that is relational, personalized and deeply embedded
within the communities that they serve, which is offering an alternative to the medicalized
birth system, which often emphasizes standardized procedures over individualized community-connected
support.
I think that's super interesting and helps us understand how midwives are really about
(07:20):
health care in general and how they're so focused on families.
I'm glad that these folks, these midwives exist because I certainly would not be an
ideal candidate.
If you're making a map and you use the wrong color, no big deal.
You do it again versus like, oh wait, I just advised you in the wrong direction for your
health care.
(07:42):
That's a big problem.
So anyway, focusing a little bit more on ICM and your goals over time, it seems like your
mission really to support the midwives is all around advocating for them.
Can you talk a little bit about that?
Absolutely.
So advocating for midwives is one of our two major goals with this project.
(08:05):
A major challenge or as I like to call it, an opportunity is to clear up the public confusion
around what midwives actually do, especially in comparison to doctors or nurses.
As you mentioned, the stakes are high.
Midwives aren't just delivering babies.
(08:27):
Some focus on prenatal and birth care while others provide a much broader scope of service
like administering antibiotics, acting as primary health care providers and caring for
entire families.
They often serving as first responders in areas without easy access to hospitals.
(08:47):
So a major point of complexity here is the tension between what you might call traditional,
alternative and medicalized practices.
Midwifery has been around for thousands of years and in many parts of the world, midwives
are seen as traditional providers.
They're trusted and deeply embedded within their communities.
(09:09):
In parts of the US and elsewhere, however, midwives are often viewed as "alternative"
to the medicalized birth system.
Birth has been medicalized and can strip away the relational, personalized aspects of care
that many people seek.
In contrast, midwifery offers a more holistic approach that values each individual's experience
(09:34):
and supports natural childbirth.
Yet it's often misunderstood because it doesn't always fit neatly within the framework of
what we would call modern medical practices.
So to advocate effectively then, ICM is increasingly turning to data to clarify and support the
value of midwives.
(09:56):
Using data allows us to tell the stories of midwifery in ways that are not only inspiring,
but are also factual and educational.
This transparency helps us attract new people to the field, showing them the real data-backed
impact that they can have as midwives.
With clear data-supported narratives, we can demystify midwifery, address public misconceptions,
(10:22):
and help people better understand the vital role that midwives play in health systems
worldwide.
Also, a quick note on that.
I do believe that a lot of people think that midwives are only women.
And just to dispel that rumor, that's absolutely not true.
There are midwives, there are men that are practicing globally.
And again, it's all about that holistic, women-centered approach in providing care.
(10:47):
I think so often, you know, in our minds, we're used to seeing like, okay, it's "this
versus that," you know, midwives versus doctors.
And that's not the approach that you are taking.
It's "this and that," right?
And it's not about like trying to battle the medicalized industry or battle hospitals.
(11:08):
It's about like, what's the best thing for the individuals?
And what's the best thing for these women?
What's the best thing for these families?
Let's dispel all of these stereotypes and misconceptions that we all have and just do
the right thing.
Make sure that people are healthier.
I do think this is an important distinction to make.
(11:30):
It's about the doctors and the midwives working together collaboratively, right?
So if a woman presents a low-risk pregnancy, it's very likely that she can have a natural
childbirth, right?
Where she doesn't have to go through what we would call now more standardized medical
practices, right?
But when there is that complication, when it does become a high-risk pregnancy, absolutely
(11:53):
the doctors are so important and instrumental in helping that woman to have a safe delivery,
right?
Both for the mother and the baby.
So the question then becomes, how do we increase that collaboration and foster that connection
between each branch of medicine, if you will, or each medical health care provider can respect
the other one's roles and responsibilities and really have the focus of care come back
(12:19):
to the individual, right?
Come back to the woman who is seeking health services.
Yeah.
I mean, that makes total sense, who wouldn't want more expertise in the room, you know,
when you're going through one of the most intimate acts of life.
I mean, it just makes total sense.
And I think that really, again, based on what we've talked about before, I think that really
(12:46):
reinforces in my mind how you're just trying to empower midwives to drive the best outcome
that they can possibly drive.
Absolutely.
So advocacy really is just the beginning.
Our second goal then is empowerment, which goes hand in hand with advocacy, really.
(13:06):
Empowerment is about giving midwives the support and the resources that they need to care for
their communities effectively and confidently.
It's also about making sure that midwives have the tools to share their own stories
and experiences, which can help to break down those stereotypes that you mentioned and open
(13:26):
people's eyes to the essential role that they play.
So using data is a big part of this empowerment.
By gathering information that reflects the unique conditions in the different regions,
whether that is on a regional, national, or even a community level, we can build a clearer
(13:48):
picture of midwifery around the world.
So on the Global Midwives Hub, which we'll get into, there are some story maps that are
a great way to see this in action.
So you can look at these story maps and get access to a wealth of information, such as
facts and figures, including the number of registered midwives, educational institutions,
(14:12):
and midwives in leadership roles.
You can access key literature, like the State of the World's Midwifery Report, which provides
a snapshot of the global midwifery landscape as of 2021.
You can access data that midwives can use to create their own visualizations, maps,
(14:33):
and stories, and so much more, really.
So all of this content is available on our Global Midwives Hub, which serves as the central
resource for midwives around the world.
Empowerment through data, education, and connection is essential because it gives midwives the
tools to elevate their voices and to make informed decisions in their regions.
(14:58):
So I would say ultimately, advocacy and empowerment are really two sides of the same coin.
By advocating for midwives, we're also setting the stage for them to feel empowered, to take
ownership of their work, to share their knowledge, and make an even bigger impact within their
communities.
Yeah, I love that.
(15:19):
And as you're describing these things, it's so intuitive.
But I guess then the thing that immediately pops into my mind is the International Confederation
of Midwives has a global reach.
And with so many different data sets, so many different regions, the uniqueness of different
countries and cultures and all that kind of stuff, that must be, like, how do you eat
(15:44):
that elephant?
Like, that's a huge undertaking to try to take on.
I mean, are you, Jessica, flying to every single country and talking to all these different
folks and trying to curate all their information?
Or like, how do you do it all?
It's a great question.
And it's one that, you know, takes many brain cycles, if you will, to kind of think through
(16:06):
just because it is such a big world, isn't it, with so many different cultures and regional
differences.
So our goal, as we've noted, is to support midwives.
And we really want to address the issues that impact them most, no matter where they're
located.
But to your point, how do we understand what's most important to midwives in each region?
(16:30):
I don't have the ability to fly around the world to meet with them all, right?
So luckily, ICM has regional professional committees, or RPCs, and that's where their
role comes in.
We are so lucky to have these committees, which are organized into six global regions
(16:53):
that are aligned with the WHO's delineation.
So Africa, the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific.
Each of these RPCs is made up of a diverse group of educators, researchers, academics,
regulators, leaders, and of course, certified midwives.
(17:17):
Their role is to collaborate within their region, to understand the specific midwifery
landscape and to drive forward advocacy efforts that reflect the unique needs and challenges
of their area.
Working with the RPCs allows us to amplify their voices and act as a force multiplier,
(17:38):
making it easier to grasp the cultural, professional, and social needs of each region, rather than
trying to engage individuals one-on-one.
An opportunity that I'm thinking through right now is how to identify common themes across
all RPCs and regions.
(17:59):
What are the shared needs, challenges, and opportunities?
How can we curate and present data in ways that directly support these needs?
And what stories can we share that bring together this global network of healthcare professionals?
We know that we cannot answer every question.
(18:20):
And so the best course of action really is to identify the most common questions and
address them proactively through data, through visualizations, and through shared stories.
Ultimately, we want our resources to be accessible and intuitive so midwives can easily find
what they need without requiring advanced technical skills.
(18:43):
So this approach then allows us to empower midwives worldwide, offering them the tools
and the knowledge that they need to align their regional realities while fostering a
global connection.
So I assume that's where the Global Midwives Hub comes in, right?
Where you can provide that foundation that has a lot of the resources, that has the data
(19:06):
already curated and examples and all this other great content so that as a midwife,
you or I could go in there and just kind of build on top of what you have rather than
start from scratch.
Is that the idea?
That's exactly the idea.
So as we've talked about, we want to use the Global Midwives Hub to empower midwives to
(19:29):
effectively advocate for themselves.
We envision the Hub as a one-stop platform where midwives can access resources and use
data that's geography-dependent to address the unique challenges in their regions.
So we're both data people, love data.
(19:49):
Almost all of the data that we have is location specific, which is key for supporting the
RPCs and the midwives in every region with relevant information.
So for example, let's say I'm a midwife in Rwanda and I want to lobby the Ministry of
Health to allow midwives to administer antibiotics when they're necessary.
(20:11):
On the Global Midwives Hub, I can see data on which neighboring countries allow midwives
to administer antibiotics.
I can better understand the health policies of these neighboring countries and highlight
the public health benefits of a policy change.
I like to always remind midwives that I'm chatting with that data drives insights and
(20:33):
insights drive change.
So if we come back again to the RPCs, they are invaluable here.
They're the ones who know the local needs and can guide us in curating data and resources
so that these midwives don't have to start from scratch.
We're putting together tools in a way that's accessible for midwives who may be more comfortable
(20:58):
working let's say with amniotic fluid than with data.
The Hub reaches midwives across time zones and across languages and it uses geography
as a universal language to tell stories, share facts, and support advocating effectively.
And I mean really this is where GIS technology shines, right?
(21:21):
It helps us to gather, analyze, and present data in a way that tells compelling stories
and underscores the incredible impact that midwives have on public health.
So if I was to think of the dream with this project, it's already starting to come true
really.
I'm hearing midwives use terms like "quantitative" and "qualitative data" more options, which means
(21:47):
they're becoming more empowered to leverage this data themselves.
Midwives are asking how can they add their authoritative and validated data to the Hub,
which we're hoping creates a virtuous cycle of adding data, of using data, and then improving
the data and even adding more.
Looking ahead, I hope to see the Hub become a resource in educational institutions supporting
(22:11):
professional development for new midwives.
I'm envisioning more stories emerging from the RPCs that highlight challenges and successes
that we would have never thought to spotlight and a growing repository of regional and subnational
data curated by midwives globally.
(22:34):
Ultimately, we want more midwives to join this global community.
Right now, there are over 1.7 million midwives worldwide, and we know that we could save
4.3 million lives each year if we added 900,000 more.
(22:56):
The mission, this work of advocacy and empowerment, is about advancing the profession of midwifery,
to promote autonomous midwives as the most appropriate caregivers for childbearing women,
and to enhance health outcomes for women, their newborns, families, and communities
around the world.
That was Jessica White sharing her team's work advocating for and empowering midwives
(23:21):
through the International Confederation of Midwives and the Global Midwives Hub.
To learn more about the International Confederation of Midwives, and possibly even to become a
midwife yourself, visit internationalmidwives.org.
Also if you're interested in digging into the midwives' stories and their data, just
like Jessica talked about, feel free to visit globalmidwiveshub.org.
(23:48):
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a colleague and don't forget to check
out the other podcasts available from Esri, including "Field Notes" and "Reinventing Planning."
Learn more at Esri.com.
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