Empowering midwives to take on leadership and policy roles is key to building stronger, more equitable health systems. With their deep, hands-on understanding of maternal and reproductive health, midwives bring practical, evidence-based insights that can transform how decisions are made and implemented at all levels of care.
To enhance the leadership and management capacities of Iranian midwifery professionals, the Midwifery Office of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education-with the support of Motamed Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, and UNFPA, organized a two-day capacity-building course in Mashhad on 7–8 October 2025, for 75 midwifery managers from universities and faculties of medical sciences across the country.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Mehdi Jafari, President of the Motamed Institute for Health System Management and Leadership Development in Iran; Dr. Askari, Head of the Center for Hospital Management and Clinical Excellence at the Ministry of Health; Dr. Shakiba, Deputy for Treatment at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Dr. Ramazanian, Deputy for Technical Affairs at Motamed Institute; Mr. Ohashi, UNFPA Representative in Iran; Professor Dunkley-Bent, Director of Midwifery at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM); and Ms. McNab, Regional Advisor on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights at UNFPA’s Asia and the Pacific Regional Office.
The event marked an important milestone in empowering midwives to take on a stronger role in shaping health policy and improving maternal and newborn health outcomes across the country. Over the course of two days, participants took part in interactive discussions and group exercises covering a wide range of subjects, such as the structure and regulations of Iran’s health system, systems thinking in healthcare management, leadership during times of change, decision-making and problem-solving, body language and interpersonal communication, advocacy and negotiation, as well as team building and networking within the health system.
The training sessions were led by a distinguished group of experts and professors in health management, including Dr. Jafari, Dr. Zaboli, Dr. Vosough-Moghadam, Dr. Ebrahimipour, Dr. Ahmadi, Dr. Babaei, Eng. Farahani, and Dr. Maleki.
The course combined theoretical learning with practical insights and peer exchange, fostering an environment of collaboration and mutual support among participants. “It was a period full of experience, learning, synergy, and motivation to provide better quality services and create a new attitude in the management path of the midwifery field,” said one participant, reflecting on her experience.
Another participant shared: “The course was excellent. For a long time, I felt stagnant and monotonous in my job. In these two days, I felt so inspired and I’m returning to my city with new energy, ideas, and plans.”
The event received positive feedback for its high-quality content, effective organization, and attention to detail. As one midwifery manager noted, “The exemplary order and accuracy reflected the tireless efforts and capable management of the organizing team. Without a doubt, this workshop is an important step toward improving midwifery knowledge and skills.”
By investing in the leadership and management capacities of midwifery managers, the Ministry of Health and UNFPA aim to strengthen maternal health systems, amplify midwives’ voices in decision-making, and ensure that women and newborns receive the quality care they deserve.
