PURPOSE:
A sustainable midwifery workforce is essential to achieving Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health (SRMNAH) goals and progressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly maternal health, midwifery workforce development, and gender equity. In response to this, the Mentoring in Midwifery (MiM) program was developed within NSW Health, guided by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Mentoring Guidelines (2020) and informed by Appreciative Inquiry principles to create strengths-based, reflective, supportive mentorship pathways. The program fosters empowerment of women leaders while creating safe, inclusive pathways welcoming gender diversity, including men and gender-diverse individuals into midwifery, promoting a resilient, representative workforce. This presentation shares the experience of MiM facilitators delivering the program across diverse contexts.

DISCUSSION:
MiM draws on ICM’s global standards for mentorship, embedding partnership, respect, and reciprocal learning. Using Appreciative Inquiry, facilitators create psychologically safe spaces focused on strengths and shared successes, building resilience and leadership growth. Facilitators report personal leadership development while supporting mentees to explore clinical, professional, and leadership challenges. The program empowers midwives to build confidence, sustain passion for SRMNAH care, and remain engaged in delivering high-quality care, even in complex practice settings.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Evaluation findings and facilitator reflections demonstrate positive outcomes in workforce satisfaction, leadership confidence, and retention. To date, participation has exceeded 30%, with ongoing growth in the NSW public health midwifery workforce engaging as mentors or mentees. Facilitators valued cultural safety principles embedded in mentorship, supporting midwives caring for Aboriginal families, culturally diverse communities, and rural populations. These outcomes directly contribute to SDG targets promoting equitable care access, workforce sustainability, gender equity, and health system resilience.

KEY MESSAGE:
Mentorship grounded in global standards and strengths-based practice creates thriving midwifery workforces. The MiM program offers a scalable, evidence-informed model that strengthens leadership, supports SRMNAH workforce wellbeing, and contributes to the global vision of One Million More Midwives. Enabling environment 1