09/08/2026
READ | 9 August 2026 | International Day of the Worldโs Indigenous Peoples
Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being
For generations, Indigenous Peoplesโ knowledge systems have been the cornerstones of community health and resilience connecting territory, spirituality, and ways of life. Indigenous midwives, along with other healers, embody this wisdom, carrying forward traditions that safeguard life, strengthen cultural identity, and ensure continuity for future generations.
As affirmed in the Article 24 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), โIndigenous [P]eoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals. Indigenous individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services.โ
Yet, discrimination โ reinforced through structural barriers and health governance frameworks โ continues to invalidate Indigenous midwives (undermine their recognition within formal health frameworks) denying Indigenous Peoples communities (limiting) access to culturally appropriate maternal and child care. And, in some cases, even criminalizing their practice. The Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), in its General Recommendation (GR) No. 39 on the rights of Indigenous women and girls, noted that Indigenous midwives and birth attendants are often criminalized.
In the Philippines, the Joint Memorandum Circular 2013-01 (DOHโNCIPโDILG) โ Guidelines on the Delivery of Basic Health Services for Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) โ promotes culturally sensitive health services for Indigenous Peoples. Yet, it stops short of explicitly recognizing the roles of Indigenous midwives in community health and wellbeing. This operational gap leaves Indigenous midwives vulnerable to exclusion and, in some cases, even criminalization when they operate outside accredited facilities.
The erosion of a specific part of the knowledge systems essential to the preservation not only of life through generations but also the protection of the dignity of Indigenous women, its domino effect, is an affront to Indigenous Peoplesโ right to strengthen their collective identities and to sustain their cultural continuity, selfโdetermination, and resilience in the face of systemic marginalization.
On this International Day of the Worldโs Indigenous Peoples ( ), we spotlight the contributions of Indigenous midwives and reaffirm the value of Indigenous knowledge in advancing culturally appropriate care. Let us not only celebrate Indigenous midwives but also demand recognition of their practices and knowledge systems. Their wisdom must be valued, protected, and integrated into health policies to ensure that no one is left behind.
As we call for the full, meaningful, and effective implementation of CEDAW GR No. 39, we particularly highlight the recommendation to State Parties: โEnsure the recognition of Indigenous health systems, ancestral knowledge, practices, sciences and technologies, and prevent and sanction the criminalization thereof.โ
Stand with Indigenous midwives. Advocate and demand for their recognition. Letโs honour Indigenous midwives as knowledge holders, caregivers, and protectors of life.
