Colombia will propose, along with eight other countries, that midwifery become a world heritage site

Colombia, together with the midwifery associations of Germany, Colombia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Nigeria, and Togo, with technical support from the Ministries of Culture, National Commissions to UNESCO and public health experts from each country, the multinational application of the 'Midwifery: knowledge, skills and practices' for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This initiative was also supported by international organizations such as the International Confederation of Midwives.

“In Colombia, the 'Knowledge associated with Colombian Afro Pacific midwifery' is a relevant demonstration of this practice and its positive impact on communities. This event was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Colombia, since April 27, 2017, as a measure to safeguard and strengthen the knowledge and techniques possessed by traditional midwives in this area of the country,” said Minister of Culture, Angelica Mayolo.

For his part, the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Heritage, José Ignacio Argote said: “Together with eight countries on four continents, we have advanced this nomination of the midwifery as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to UNESCO, because of the value and importance of this cultural manifestation in the world. The midwifery brings together valuable knowledge and techniques in the territories, related to the body, the care of the reproductive cycle of women, the use of medicinal plants and the treatment of diseases of communities.”

He added that “I want to highlight the work led to the consolidation of this initiative by midwife associations such as Asoparupa de Buenaventura, RediParchocó, the La Cigüeña de Tumaco Foundation, as well as the department of Cauca. MinCultura will continue to accompany communities in the implementation of the Special Plan for Safeguarding this event, which seeks to promote the strengthening and recognition of this knowledge as its own system of traditional medicine.”

It is noteworthy that, this knowledge, which is developed from daily observation and experimentation, forms a system of traditional medicine that has survived the passage of generations, based on a chain of learning between grandmothers, mothers, aunts, godmothers, daughters and goddaughters. In this way, Pacific midwives have historically woven a special relationship with the biodiversity present in their places of origin and with the sociocultural dynamics of their territories.

In addition, the Special Safeguarding Plan (PES) for the 'Knowledge associated with the Colombian Afro-Pacific Midwifery' is composed of a series of strategies developed by the community, the National Government, the Afro-Pacific Midwifery Safeguard Council and local and departmental organizations and institutions of the territories that are part of this declaration: Nariño, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, Chocó.

With regard to the nomination, communities and interested groups participated at the national level, through a broad international consultation process to prepare the candidacy for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In Colombia between October and November 2021, the Ministry of Culture supported the holding of a midwifery meeting with the participation of demonstration carriers. In this space, inputs were promoted for the realization of the dossier. UNESCO will have two years to evaluate each of the points that make up the file and to request, if required, additional information.

It should be noted that Colombia's participation in this multinational nomination is part of the international cooperation strategy led by Mincultura for the benefit of the protection and promotion of the country's culture and heritage.

It is that traditional midwives and the work they do are internationally recognized by institutions and representations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). The midwifery field includes knowledge and skills to promote the well-being of women, infants, children and families. Midwives ensure continuity of care and support during the natural processes of pregnancy, childbirth, using evidence-based research, intuition, as well as empirical and traditional knowledge.

Their skills and knowledge have been safeguarded, developed and transmitted by communities over generations, and today, this transmission takes place in contexts of formal, non-formal and informal education. In addition, midwifery involves specific cultural practices, vocabulary, celebrations, and rituals, such as cutting the umbilical cord.

Intangible cultural heritage includes living traditions in the fields of dance, theater, music, oral traditions, natural knowledge and craft techniques. Since 2003, 180 countries have acceded to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Colombia has the National Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, made up of 23 manifestations, 11 of which are included in the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and one in the Unesco Register of Good Practices. The Cultural Space of San Basilio de Palenque and the Varnish of Pasto or Mopa-Mopa are part of these events.