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Background:

Worldwide, sexual and gender based violence is a significant problem which affects public health and human rights. Since the education for midwives is new in Bangladesh, and there are indications of widespread violence against women in the country, it is central to investigate how the topic is addressed within the midwifery education.

Aim:

To examine how sexual and gender based violence is addressed in the midwifery education in Bangladesh and identify potential needs for improvement, from the perspective of midwifery and nursing educators.

Methods:

A qualitative inductive design was used in focus group discussions (FGDs) with 29 midwifery and nursing educators. Data was analyzed by qualitative content analysis.

Results:

The content related to violence in the curriculum of midwifery education in Bangladesh was not considered sufficient for the students to gain sufficient knowledge or tools for practical work. Future midwives need theoretical and practical knowledge, including a broad base of basic knowledge, communication and trust building skills, skilled educators and varied learning methods. Society and community can act as both a facilitator and barrier for midwifery student's possibilities to be skilled in encountering women exposed to violence.

Conclusion:

To improve the midwifery education there is a need to strengthen the midwifery curriculum in line with WHO guidelines within the field of violence. Midwifery students need clinical practice to learn to identify, communicate and support women subjected to violence. Minimization of identified barriers may help to improve the confidence level of future midwives and enable them to give evidence based up-to-date care freely and independently, and to link women with available services. For this, competent midwifery educators and networking are central.

Clinical application:

There are needs to review the midwifery curriculum according to the WHO standard guidelines and to provide more practice opportunities to support midwifery students in their process of becoming competent midwives. Providing training for midwifery educators can upgrade their knowledge to make them more ready and skilled in guiding the students in the field of sexual and gender based violence.