Union of Midwives

Unie porodních asistentek, z. s. (UNIPA) is a Czech professional non-governmental non-profit organization that brings together midwives and midwifery students. It was founded on 28 November 2005 and works to develop the field of midwifery in line with the latest scientific knowledge, contributing to better care for women and children. The organization is based in the Czech Republic and operates nationally, with its activities aimed at both hospital-based and private midwives. UNIPA is a member organization of the Czech Women's Lobby, a network of organizations defending women's rights. Its president is Magdaléna Ezrová. The union is active in professional education and advocacy: its website lists a calendar of accredited courses, workshops and webinars for midwives, covering topics such as perineal protection, functional approaches to childbirth, postpartum care for women and newborns, and active pregnancy. It also shares invitations to external courses, for example from the physiotherapy centre GrooFy in Brno. Among its notable activities is the Anna Lišková Award, presented on 5 May, the International Day of the Midwife, to people who have contributed to the development of midwifery. The first award was given on 5 May 2023. The award is named after Anna Lišková, a Czech midwife and the first Czech president of the International Confederation of Midwives. UNIPA thus functions as a professional association, an educational organizer and an advocacy body for midwifery in the Czech Republic. It does not sell commercial products; its offerings are membership, professional events, courses and public advocacy for the midwifery profession.

Unie porodních asistentek, z. s. (UNIPA) was founded on 28 November 2005 as a professional non-governmental non-profit organization uniting midwives and midwifery students in the Czech Republic. Its stated mission is to participate in the development of the midwifery field in accordance with the latest scientific knowledge and to contribute to improving care for women and children. From its early years, UNIPA has combined professional education with advocacy. It became a member organization of the Czech Women's Lobby, a network of organizations defending women's rights, thereby linking midwifery issues to broader gender-equality and healthcare agendas. The organization is led by a president; Magdaléna Ezrová has served in this role. A significant milestone in its public recognition work is the Anna Lišková Award, established to honour individuals who have contributed to the development of midwifery. The award is presented on 5 May, the International Day of the Midwife. The first award was given on 5 May 2023. It is named after Anna Lišková, a Czech midwife who was the first Czech president of the International Confederation of Midwives. UNIPA's educational activities have expanded over time. Its website calendar lists a range of accredited courses, workshops and webinars for midwives, including topics such as perineal protection in modern midwifery, functional approaches to childbirth, care of women and newborns in the postpartum period, and active pregnancy. Some events are organized directly by UNIPA, while others are shared as invitations from partner institutions, such as the physiotherapy centre GrooFy in Brno. The organization also runs an educational cycle for midwives who wish to provide postpartum home visiting services. As of the 2020s, UNIPA continues to operate as a professional association, offering continuing education, networking and representation for midwives in the Czech Republic. It does not engage in commercial retail; its activities are funded through membership, course fees and possibly grants, though exact financial details are not publicly detailed in the available sources.

• 2023

  First Anna Lišková Award presented on 5 May 2023, International Day of the Midwife.

• 2005

  Founded on 28 November 2005 as a professional non-governmental non-profit organization.

Professional association and advocacy body for midwives in the Czech Republic, focused on education, scientific development of midwifery and women's rights.

• Educational cycle for postpartum home care

  A comprehensive educational cycle for midwives starting or wishing to provide postpartum home visiting services.

• Workshop on perineal protection

  Workshop aimed at expanding midwives' knowledge and practical skills in preventing perineal injuries during childbirth.

• Functional approaches to childbirth course

  Two-day educational course for maternity teams to improve the quality of care for women in labour.

• Active in pregnancy course

  Course on exercise for women during pregnancy, after childbirth and in the postpartum period, for yoga instructors and helping professions.

1. 1UNIPA – Unie porodních asistentek – UNIPA, z.s. je profesní organizace porodních asistentek a studentek porodní asistenceunipa.cz
2. 2Unie porodních asistentek – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Unie porodních asistentek – Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org