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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)

New Irish Midwifery Registration Standards and the Missed Opportunity for Gender‐Inclusive Curricula and Reproductive Justice

  • John P. Gilmore1
  • Anita Byrne2
  • Noah Halpin3
  • Ciara Kirwan1
  • Elizabeth Newnham4
  • Sally Pezaro5
  • Amy Rochford6
  • Ky Walker7,8
  • Jeannine Webster3
8 affiliations
  1. 1School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems University College Dublin Dublin Ireland
  2. 2Dundalk Institute of Technology Dundalk Co. Louth Ireland
  3. 3Transgender Equality Network Ireland Dublin Ireland
  4. 4College of Nursing and Health Sciences; Caring Futures Institute Flinders University Adelaide Australia
  5. 5Research Centre for Healthcare and Communities Coventry University Coventry UK
  6. 6Rotunda Hospital Dublin Ireland
  7. 7Trans Healthcare Action Dublin Ireland
  8. 8School of Public Health University College Cork Cork Ireland
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Abstract

The 2025 revision of Ireland's midwifery education standards marks the first comprehensive update since 2012 and includes an important step forward in acknowledging trans and gender diverse (TGD) people as recipients of midwifery care. However, despite this progress, the standards remain constrained by gender‐exclusive language and a lack of substantive integration of TGD perspectives across curricula. Drawing on international literature and recent evidence on TGD pregnancy experiences, this commentary argues that recognition without structural embedding risks tokenism and perpetuates inequity. Situating the discussion within a human rights framework, it highlights the relevance of the International Confederation of Midwives' Philosophy and Bill of Rights, which centers on self‐determination, bodily autonomy, justice and equity, principles that align directly with trans inclusion. The commentary calls for consistent inclusive terminology, explicit competencies in TGD health, and leadership education that equips midwives to advocate for equity and human rights. It also underscores the need to foster safe, affirming environments for trans and non‐binary midwives, ensuring that the profession itself embodies the inclusivity it promotes in care.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{gilmore2026irish,
  title = {{New Irish Midwifery Registration Standards and the Missed Opportunity for Gender‐Inclusive Curricula and Reproductive Justice}},
  author = {John P. Gilmore and Anita Byrne and Noah Halpin and Ciara Kirwan and Elizabeth Newnham and Sally Pezaro and Amy Rochford and Ky Walker and Jeannine Webster},
  journal = {Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1111/birt.70097},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.70097},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - New Irish Midwifery Registration Standards and the Missed Opportunity for Gender‐Inclusive Curricula and Reproductive Justice
AU  - John P. Gilmore
AU  - Anita Byrne
AU  - Noah Halpin
AU  - Ciara Kirwan
AU  - Elizabeth Newnham
AU  - Sally Pezaro
AU  - Amy Rochford
AU  - Ky Walker
AU  - Jeannine Webster
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/18
JO  - Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)
DO  - 10.1111/birt.70097
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.70097
AB  - The 2025 revision of Ireland's midwifery education standards marks the first comprehensive update since 2012 and includes an important step forward in acknowledging trans and gender diverse (TGD) people as recipients of midwifery care. However, despite this progress, the standards remain constrained by gender‐exclusive language and a lack of substantive integration of TGD perspectives across curricula. Drawing on international literature and recent evidence on TGD pregnancy experiences, this commentary argues that recognition without structural embedding risks tokenism and perpetuates inequity. Situating the discussion within a human rights framework, it highlights the relevance of the International Confederation of Midwives' Philosophy and Bill of Rights, which centers on self‐determination, bodily autonomy, justice and equity, principles that align directly with trans inclusion. The commentary calls for consistent inclusive terminology, explicit competencies in TGD health, and leadership education that equips midwives to advocate for equity and human rights. It also underscores the need to foster safe, affirming environments for trans and non‐binary midwives, ensuring that the profession itself embodies the inclusivity it promotes in care.
SN  - 0730-7659
SN  - 1523-536X
ER  -