Protecting the Heritage
Of Indigenous People
(Cultural Safety)
The International Confederation
of Midwives believes that culture, tradition, and individual beliefs influence
how one lives and makes choices in life.
The ICM believes that midwives and the women and families they care for
deserve respect and the freedom to participate fully and knowledgeably in
decisions that affect their lives. The
Confederation also holds the belief that in every culture there exists the
possibility of harmful traditions imposed on young girls and women, and is
therefore is committed to working in partnership with women to change these
harmful practices.
The Confederation
promotes the full participation of indigenous peoples in the development of
health policies, and the planning and implementation of health services during
childbearing that are safe, acceptable, available and used. This participation is based on respect for
human dignity and a partnership model of professional midwifery practice.
In recognition of the variety of cultural traditions and practices surrounding pregnancy and birth, the midwife will:
·
be knowledgeable about such traditions and respect those
practices that will not cause harm to women and childbearing families;
·
in instances where such practices can cause harm: work
with the community to eliminate the harmful practices;
·
in partnership with women and childbearing families:
provide leadership in establishing and maintaining maternity services that are
culturally safe and free from discrimination.
Member
associations are encouraged to work with midwives, women, policy makers and the
community to implement culturally safe health services, using this resolution
as a basis for action.
- ICM International Code of
Ethics for Midwives (1993)
-
United Nations Human Rights Study Series #10: Protection
of the Heritage of Indigenous People (1997)
Supersedes ICM
Statements:
Rights of Indigenous
Women and their Families 93/17
Indigenous People,
Cultural Safety and Midwifery 96/24
Adopted by the
International Confederation of Midwives Council,
Date for review: 2005