MEN TO BE BANNED FROM BEING MIDWIVES

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Posted by admin on December 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM

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The president of the 3RD Liberation Movement Party, Enock Roosevelt Tonga, has announced that if elected, his administration would prohibit men from working as midwives, introducing one of the most controversial health policy proposals in recent years.

Mr Tonga stated that any male found practicing as a midwife would face a minimum prison sentence of 20 years.

He argued that the profession should be reserved exclusively for women, claiming that men should not be allowed to see women’s nakedness under the guise of providing healthcare.

He justified his stance by pointing to the term “midwife”, saying it linguistically excludes men.

Mr Tonga further said Midwifery is a regulated health profession in Zambia, with both male and female practitioners trained to provide maternal and neonatal care.

He proposal raises questions about gender discrimination, healthcare access, and constitutional rights, as Zambia’s health system already faces shortages of skilled personnel.

Critics argued that banning men from midwifery could worsen maternal health outcomes, especially in rural areas where staffing is limited stating that Should certain professions be restricted by gender and Do women have the right to demand female-only care, or should professional qualifications take precedence.