PURPOSE:
The Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) is a 24-hour free, online conference held annually on May 5th to celebrate midwifery worldwide. Founded in 2009, VIDM is designed to ensure global access to knowledge-sharing, regardless of geography, income, or language. As digital events become more common, VIDM stands out for its grassroots, multilingual, and inclusive approach.

DISCUSSION:
Over the past 15 years and beyond, VIDM has established a truly global community of midwives, students, and advocates. With presenters and attendees from over 50 countries, the conference embodies equity in practice by eliminating financial and travel barriers, providing sessions in multiple languages, and utilizing open-source platforms and low-bandwidth solutions. This presentation will describe VIDM’s evolution and the innovations that make it successful: an international committee of midwives, multilingual volunteer interpreters, asynchronous recordings, and broad outreach. Examples will be shared from past conferences to illustrate how VIDM promotes professional development, celebrates diverse midwifery voices, and fosters interprofessional collaboration across borders and cultures.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The committee has collected and analyzed data indicating that our reach is broader than ever in 2025 with 57 countries, over 1200 attendees and at least 3 presentation languages represented. The cultural and spiritual aspects of birth are strongly to the fore. Our theme in 2025 was “Midwives- Making Connections” which fits into the ICMs drive for “One Million More Midwives”. Participant feedback and attendance data highlight high satisfaction and a sense of global belonging. Many midwives, especially those from underserved or remote areas, report that VIDM is their only opportunity for international engagement and continuing education each year.

KEY MESSAGE:
VIDM is more than a conference—it is a transformative model of global connection, inclusion, and empowerment. By using accessible technology and a commitment to equity, VIDM invites everyone to the table—virtually, but powerfully. Poster session 4 (Group B)