Reproductive justice and the liberatory possibilities of midwifery education

Midwifery education and workforce development have become key global public health concerns, as midwives can play an essential role in minimizing the vulnerabilities surrounding pregnancy and birth and by extension reduce reproductive injustices. Numerous global health organizations have called for a “scaling-up” of midwifery education, however it is unclear how midwifery education prepares midwives to understand and respond to the complex factors undermining reproductive health. Centered in a North American context, this study draws upon critical Indigenous, decolonial and social epidemiological frameworks to analyze the core educational competencies established by two professional midwifery organizations. Our analysis shows that core competencies exemplify the holistic nature of midwifery practice, but do not address the underlying systems that undermine reproductive justice.