Women, Children and Midwives in Situations of War and Civil Unrest

Statement of belief

The International Confederation of Midwives believes the rights of women and children should be protected in all circumstances; that it is only in peace that families can reach their full potential to the benefit of their nations. The Confederation therefore condemns all acts of war.

Policy

The International Confederation of Midwives

· supports the efforts of all those international agencies that are seeking to resolve conflicts and enforce peace, relieve the suffering of the women and children who are refugees and provide food to those whose food sources have been destroyed or are no longer available to them;

· condemns the recruitment of children into armed forces;

· condemns the use of items of war that can have a long-term impact on a population, such as anti-personnel landmines;

· condemns leaders of forces who fail to safeguard the rights of women and children, especially those whose armed forces physically and sexually abuse women and children;

· condemns rape as a war crime in accordance with the Geneva Convention;

· recognises the courage of midwives who in the most difficult of circumstances continue to provide care for women and their newborn;

· will support Member Associations in countries beset by war and civil unrest

also recognises with deep regret that many midwives become the victims of war and civil unrest. They are killed, raped, maimed and suffer the loss of family members.

Guiding Statement to Member Associations

Member Associations are encouraged to lobby their governments to support peace initiatives, and to provide financial support to agencies that provide humanitarian assistance to those whose lives have been disrupted by war and civil unrest.

References

- UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948

- World Declaration on the Survival Protection and Development of Children, UNICEF, 1990

- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989

Supersedes ICM Statement:

Women, Children and Midwives in Situations of War and Civil Unrest 93/10

Nuclear Testing 96/19

Use of Anti-Personnel Landmines 96/20

Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives Council, Manila, May 1999.

Date for review: 2005