Gender diversity and inclusion in midwifery education: Deconstructing essentialism and binary thinking

  • Sally Pezaro (Author)
  • Pendleton, J. (Author)
  • Ash Bainbridge (Author)
  • John Gilmore (Author)
  • Elizabeth Newnham (Author)

Activity: Academic Talks or PresentationsConference PresentationResearch

Description

Midwifery is uniquely gendered because its very nomenclature translates as being “with woman.” This title reinscribes its long history of gendered oppression and consequently, midwifery sees itself as an inherently feminist profession, unproblematically providing perinatal care “for women, by women”. It is therefore difficult for some midwives to detach themselves from this deeply entrenched gendered identity to promote inclusivity. This has led to a dangerous essentialist turn that is increasingly anti-medicine, anti-technology, and anti-gender, along with a resistance to inclusivity itself. We have argued that this causes harm not only to trans and gender diverse people, but also to the majority of people who birth – cisgender women.

The ontological position that sex assigned/assumed at birth supersedes gender within arguably the most gendered profession in the world is not surprising but makes midwifery a unique setting from which to position new thinking, where a detailed debunking of essentialist feminist positionality is required. Moreover, an intersectional lens which deconstructs the ideology of biological determinism that is both based in and perpetuates colonial and patriarchal understandings of sexual/gender differences are imperative.

In this presentation we introduce an educational model co-created to promote the deconstruction of binary essentialist thinking. This model will illustrate the interconnections between concepts, theories, and ideologies where gender exclusivity maintains oppressive structures, with the aim of supporting critical thinking for the benefit of inclusive midwifery practice (e.g. antidiscrimination and challenging biases); education; (e.g. gender diversity and inclusion), and policy; (e.g., inclusive language). The model will subsequently be tested to ascertain how it may facilitate the deconstruction of binary thinking and assumptions which underpin gender critical ideology toward gender inclusivity and reproductive justice for all. We will invite audience members to refine the model and collaborate alongside us as we look to explore whether it may be applicable in other contexts.
Period14 Sept 2024
Held atUniversity College Cork, Ireland
Degree of RecognitionInternational