10 September 2025
International Confederation of Midwives
Midwife advisors from the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) recently travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone, to work alongside the Sierra Leone Midwifery Association (SLMA) as part of the Collaborate for Women (C4W) Abortion and Contraception care Together (ACCT) initiative. Their visit marked the beginning of a series of capacity-building workshops designed to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and girls, in line with Competency 2 of the Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice.
Over three days, 31 participants, including midwifery educators and clinical midwives, gathered to strengthen their clinical skills and understanding of rights-based care. Many had travelled long distances from remote rural provinces, where they are often the only skilled providers available. While already experienced in delivering essential services, they were eager to strengthen their capacity to provide family planning (FP) and Post-abortion Care (PAC) services and protect women’s autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality, and to ensure that care is always based on free and informed consent.