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Background: Violence against women is a significant problem affecting public health and human rights worldwide. The midwife profession is identified as a key profession in identifying violence against women and to provide first line support. In Bangladesh, there is a national plan aiming for a society free from violence against women and children by 2025. Midwifery is relatively new to Bangladesh and it is central to investigate how the topic is addressed within midwifery education.

Objective: To examine how violence against women is addressed in midwifery education in Bangladesh and identify potential needs for improvement, from the perspective of midwifery educators and clinical midwives.

Methods: Five focus group discussions were conducted with 29 midwifery educators and clinical midwives from different parts of the country, with a topic guide based on the WHO clinical and policy guidelines for response to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women. The data were analysed by qualitative content analysis. 15

Results: The need to linking theory and practice was highlighted. A broad base of theoretical knowledge and possibilities for clinical practice will enable future midwives to identify, communicate and support women subjected to violence, and to link with available services. An improved curriculum, aligned to the needs of the women among whom future midwives will work is essential, as are knowledgeable midwifery educators, in relation to the topic and to varied pedagogics.

Conclusions: Educators need to be innovative when finding ways for midwifery students to link theory about violence against women to practice. To highlight the unique contribution midwifery can make to the field, networking with local and community authorities is central. If space was provided for midwifery educators to improve the content related to violence against women in the midwifery curriculum the confidence of both midwifery educators and future midwives would be strengthened.