The report documents a March 2006 workshop to discuss the role of midwives in achieving MDG 5 (improving maternal health). The workshop, the first of its kind for UNFPA, brought together midwives from developing and industrialized countries with midwifery advisors and UNFPA staff and partners to discuss barriers to the development of a robust midwifery workforce. Although many of the barriers are well known, participants called attention to the underlying issue of gender inequality.