Petition request
That the House of Representatives inquire into the Midwifery Council’s decision to use the word ‘whānau’ and not the words ‘women’ or ‘baby’ in the Scope of Practice of a midwife, and whether the Midwifery Council is discharging its Regulatory Authority duties appropriately under the HPCAA 2003.
Petition reason
The Midwifery Council has agreed to replace the words ‘woman, baby, and mother’, in English and in Te Reo, with 'whānau'. Only 3.7% of respondents who submitted feedback in March 2023 agreed with the new scope - 90.8% were negative responses. I believe the scope is not fit for purpose written this way, that sex-based language is essential to midwifery, and that women’s sex-based rights are protected in NZ law and by the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Related
Petition progress
- Open for signatures
- Closed for signatures
- Select Committee
- Reported
- Referred to Minister
| Number of signatures: | 7427 |
|---|---|
| Date presented: | 09 Apr 2024 |
| Considered by: | Petitions |
| SC Report(s): | 18 Mar 2025 (Final) |
| Presenting member: | Hon James Meager |
| Closing date: | 01 Mar 2024 |