News Center- Midwifery is one of the oldest professions in history. The National Midwifery Week is annually celebrated in Turkey between April 21 and 28. Midwife means a woman assists other women in childbirth. With the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the midwives have worked with more energy and motivation. However, they don’t get the respect due to the politics of the government in Turkey. In the model of family physician implemented within the scope of the health transformation program in Turkey, the midwives are employed as “family health personnel” and their identities are ignored.

Midwifery in history

Midwifery has become a respected profession since the existence of humanity. In the past, the midwives were seen as goddesses, as they were the greatest assisters in the process of human birth. The first archeological evidence of midwifery dated back to 5000 BC. Midwifery is mentioned in the Bible. In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh (king) ordered Shifra and Puah, two midwives to kill babies if they were boys. The profession of midwifery was a profession that passed from mother to daughter throughout history. Women trained women to learn how to assist other women in childbirth. In history, midwives were sometimes accused of being “witches”.

History of midwifery in Turkey

During the Ottoman period, the midwives were believed to be “blessed”. Midwifery was also the first profession of women in the health field during the Ottoman Empire period. During that period, only women were allowed to assist other women in childbirth so mothers taught their daughters or other women how to be a midwife. This profession was seen as a “women’s job”. The first education for midwifery was held in Turkey in 1842 when the courses named “Midwifery Education Program” began. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic, the midwives were accepted as government officers after the health care law was issued. Turkish Ministry of Education formed a midwifery branch in Village Institutes (Turkish: Köy Enstitüleri) claiming that the need for midwives was higher in the villages, however, the institutes were closed down.

After the first fifteen years of the Republic, the midwifery profession gained a professional identity. But the midwives having diplomas lost their professional independence under the control of doctors. The midwives having no diplomas couldn’t work anymore. Midwifery becomes a profession depending on male doctors.

What do the midwives demand?

In Turkey, the birth rate, the overall fertility rate, infant mortality, and maternal mortality rates are still high. The midwifery profession has been discussed again due to the Covid-19 pandemic all over the world. The midwives demand to be employed as midwives, not family health personnel. Midwives, who are at risk due to the Covid-19 pandemic, demand to work safely and their rights.