Updating the European Union’s Midwifery Directive advance women’s sexual and reproductive health in the future and reinforce professional standard within the midwifery profession

Abstract

The ongoing revision of the European Directive on Professional Qualifications for midwives presents a once in a generational opportunity to bring its outdated standards into alignment with contemporary evidence and international frameworks.

This short communication outlines key limitations in the current directive and its revision process, and proposes pragmatic, forward-looking updates informed by existing consensus and aligned with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice. The revision holds the potential to strengthen professional mobility, support high-quality care across European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries as well as globally. Moreover, to ensure that midwifery education continues to meet the sexual and reproductive health care needs of women and their families in the future.