Speakers - 2026

Internationally, midwives are positioned not only as providers of maternity care but as key professionals in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) define midwives’ competencies to include education, counseling, and health promotion across the lifespan, including adolescence. In many countries, their involvement in sexual health education is therefore considered a core professional role rather than an additional activity.

In countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Sweden, midwives are integrated into comprehensive sexuality education systems and youth health services. They often collaborate with schools as part of multidisciplinary teams, delivering education on topics such as contraception, consent, sexually transmitted infections, and relationships. Importantly, their role extends beyond classroom teaching; they also provide ongoing consultation and access to services through community-based systems, such as youth clinics in Sweden. This continuity allows young people to connect education with real-life health support.

In contrast, the role of midwives in Japan remains more limited and context-dependent. Although midwives are increasingly invited to schools, their participation is often confined to one-time lectures, particularly on pregnancy, childbirth, and the value of life. This reflects both institutional structures and social expectations, where midwives are commonly perceived as specialists in childbirth rather than as broader SRHR educators.

Additionally, Japan’s school health system is centered on school nurses (yogo teachers), who play a primary role in health education and student support. As a result, midwives are positioned as external, supplementary professionals rather than integrated partners.

This difference suggests that the key issue in Japan is not whether midwives should be involved in sexual health education, but how their roles can be effectively integrated into existing school systems. International models highlight the importance of sustained, collaborative involvement and connections between education and healthcare services. In the Japanese context, strengthening partnerships between midwives and school nurses— particularly in curriculum planning, co-teaching, and post-education consultation—may enhance the effectiveness of sexual health education.

In conclusion, while midwives in other countries function as central actors in SRHR education across multiple settings, their role in Japan remains limited and episodic. Future research should focus on identifying practical models of collaboration that align with Japan’s school-based health system while maximizing the professional expertise of midwives.

What will the audience take away from your presentation?

• Understand key gaps between international and Japanese models of midwives’ roles in sexual health education.
• Gain practical strategies for integrating midwives into school-based education (e.g., co-teaching, curriculum design).
• Apply a framework for effective collaboration between educators and healthcare professionals.
• Use findings to enhance teaching, program design, and future research.
• Improve continuity and quality of sexual health education in their own settings.