PURPOSE:
The mentorship program aims at strengthening the operations of national midwives’ associations (MAs) to better advocate, lead, and improve midwifery practice and promote the profession.

DISCUSSION:
Strengthening midwifery associations is one of the key strategies by ICM to build capacity for advocacy and promote midwives’ welfare and to improve perinatal outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Although AMAMI was established more than two decades ago, it was not functioning to its full capacity due to lack of structures that support sound operational and financial systems. Funding for the association was erratic and inadequate due to dwindling membership and isolated sources. With support from UNFPA, the Canadian Association of Midwives, and ICM, AMAMI was set to embark on a road to an efficient and effective process of getting itself back to performing as an institution with functional systems that foster transparency, accountability, and good governance. As a beneficiary of two major projects, AMAMI gets continued support to meet its vision and mission. During the first year of implementation, a needs assessment was conducted on key stakeholders to note priority areas on advocacy and other roles undertaken by the association. Short-term outcomes achieved include revision of the constitution, a strategic plan, development of an organogram, and a skills-building workshop for advocacy roles.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Strengthening Local Midwifery Organizations by ICM funded by FCDO (October 2024 to May 2030) and the five-year TRUST project (April 2025 to March 2030) for fostering Women's voices and midwifery leadership for Resilient Health funded by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) through the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM),

KEY MESSAGE:
These ongoing initiatives demonstrate that mentoring midwifery associations strengthens their capacity to have functional structures and promote good governance. Skills building on leadership and advocacy enhance midwives’ roles in promoting maternal, neonatal, sexual, and reproductive health for the populations Poster session 3 (Group B)