Midwives across Morocco are celebrating their profession today, marking May 5 as the International Day of Midwives, a global occasion recognizing their role in child and infant care.
Numerous Moroccan associations work diligently to advocate for and defend midwifery. One such example is the Moroccan Association of Midwives (AMSF).
Legal Loopholes
Midwifery is an official profession in Morocco and was legalized in 1960 by Royal Decree No. 1-59-367. However, this Royal Decree had several shortcomings.
Law No. 44.13, concerning the practice of the profession of midwifery, was enacted in 2016. With this law, new shortcomings emerged.
Article 2 of this law states that “the specific tasks of midwives and the tasks that midwives cannot perform; except based on a doctor’s prescription or under their supervision,” will be specified in a future classification. Nearly a decade later, no classification is in sight.
This lack of a clear scope of practice results in ambiguous responsibilities for midwives, who may be held accountable by law for practicing certain tasks that they’re not authorized to perform.
“This ambiguity is deeply troubling,” Says Fouzia El Quorchi, President of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Office of AMSF. “Midwives become more focused on their own legal risks, when, normally, the safety of the patient should be the primary concern.”
Misconceptions
“Midwifery is often reduced to pregnancy and childbirth,” said Fouzia El Quorchi, “In truth, a midwife’s role far surpasses that.”
El Quorchi, who has 27 years of midwifery under her belt, said that a midwife is directly involved with girls in puberty and their sexual hygiene.
The profession also aims to assist women through pregnancy preparations, the pregnancy itself, and post-birth.
These widespread misconceptions can be harmful, said Fouzia El Quorchi. “Postpartum depression, for example, is a diagnosable condition. Unfortunately, many Moroccan women are unaware of how to seek help from professional midwives.”
Educational Challenges
France and many European countries offer students a training program ranging from 5 to 6 years in Midwifery. Morocco, in comparison, has a 3-year educational program.
Fouzia El Quorchi, with 27 years of experience in midwifery, argues that the training period in Morocco is too short. “A different approach must be considered because those 3 years are not enough, and the curriculum is too charged.”
The article is beautifully written—informative, heartfelt, and engaging from start to finish. It does a wonderful job of honoring midwives while also educating readers about their essential role. Truly a thoughtful and well-crafted piece!