BACKGROUND:
The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) promotes the global strengthening of midwifery through its Professional Framework, comprising 10 elements: midwifery philosophy, essential competencies for practice, education, regulation, association, continuity of midwife care, leadership, enabling environments, and a commitment to gender equality. These are underpinned by ICM’s global standards and core values, including autonomy, accountability, and respect for human rights. National midwifery associations play a crucial role in enabling environments for midwives; however, their alignment with ICM standards varies.

OBJECTIVES:
To assess the organizational activities and strategic direction of the Israel Midwives Association (IMA) through a structured comparison with the ICM Professional Framework, and to identify areas for alignment and capacity-building.

METHODS:
A qualitative content analysis was conducted using publicly available documents, including strategic plans, policy statements, position papers, social media, conference materials, advocacy content, and online communications. Data were thematically analyzed using a deductive coding strategy based on the ICM framework. A matrix mapping approach identified strengths, partial alignments, gaps, and adaptations.

RESULTS:
Findings show strong alignment with the ICM’s association pillar, particularly in governance, leadership development, advocacy for continuity of care, emergency preparedness, and communications, including member engagement. However, gaps remain in pursuing compliance with the Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice, advancing midwifery education, implementation of full scope of practice–including midwifery autonomy and independence, research and evidence-based practice, and regulation.

CONCLUSIONS:
National associations can act as change agents and guardians of the profession. Using the Professional Framework can help national midwifery associations to identify gaps in alignment with ICM standards to guide organizational development. Recommendations for strategic planning include forming a development and research task force, enhancing regulatory collaboration, and pursuing structured alignment with the ICM framework to support accreditation and global engagement.

KEY MESSAGE:
National midwifery associations can identify gaps in alignment with ICM standards to guide organizational development. Poster session 3 (Group B)