International Midwives Day Celebration held at FNU’s Tamavua campus on 5 April, 2025
“International Midwives Day is a day of advocacy and awareness.”
This was highlighted by the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Acting Dean College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences (CMNHS), Dr Amelia Turagabeci during the International Midwives Day celebration at Tamavua campus yesterday.
The theme for this year’s International Midwives Day is: “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis.”
CMNHS Acting Dean Dr Amelia Turagabeci
“We are not celebrating this day because it is a requirement or an annual event, but rather as a day of advocacy and awareness. As midwives, your role is critical because you are the first to touch a newborn, offering hope and ensuring a safe delivery,” Dr Amelia said.
“You should advocate not only for your roles but also for a stronger healthcare system to deliver essential services. We aim to advocate for recognition—recognition of your vital role. Midwives are trusted professionals with the knowledge and skills to ensure women receive the necessary healthcare services, regardless of the crisis.”
The Acting Head of the School of Nursing, Seinimelia Hataogo, has called on governments, institutions, and communities to invest in midwifery education and ensure workplace safety for midwives. She emphasised that despite their crucial role, midwives are frequently under-recognised, under-supported, and under-resourced.
“Midwives are more than birth attendants. They are educators, counsellors, advocates, and lifelines. They hold hands through labour pains, offer reassurance in times of fear, and provide comfort in moments of uncertainty. And when crises strike, be it a health emergency, natural disaster, or humanitarian catastrophe-midwives remain a steady presence, delivering not only babies, but hope,” Hataogo said.
“Supporting midwives is not only a matter of justice- it is a matter of survival. To the midwives present here today and those serving around the globe, we honour you, and we thank you. You are not only essential in every crisis, but you are also essential always.”
Hataogo added that it was important to move forward with a shared commitment to elevate and empower midwives everywhere. Semesa Taukena has been a nurse for the past 10 years. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate study in Midwifery from the FNU’s School of Nursing of CMNHS. “International Day of the Midwife holds a deep and personal meaning for me.”
“It is more than a celebration—it’s a call to honour the incredible work midwives do around the world and a reminder of the path I’ve chosen to follow. This day inspires me to look ahead with purpose and commitment,” Taukena said.
“I see the role of a midwife not just as a caregiver during birth, but as an advocate, educator, and support system for women and their families throughout the most vulnerable and powerful times of their lives. It reaffirms my passion for this profession and motivates me to keep learning, growing, and developing the skills and compassion needed to truly make a difference.
“I feel proud to be joining the global community of midwives who stand for dignity, equity, and respect in maternal care. As I continue my studies, I carry with me the values this day represents—courage, compassion, and commitment to safe, respectful, and empowering care for all.”