Civil Society Joint Statement: Time to stop obstetric violence

Many women across the globe experience disrespectful, abusive or neglectful treatment during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care, whether in high, medium and low-income countries. Such treatments include physical abuse, profound humiliation and verbal abuse, coercive or unconsented medical procedures (including sterilization), lack of confidentiality, failure to get fully informed consent, refusal to give adequate pain relief, violations of privacy, refusal of admission to health facilities, neglecting women during childbirth to suffer life-threatening avoidable complications, and detention of women and their newborns in facilities after childbirth.

In Europe, the issue only begins to be recognized, albeit amid controversy. A lot still needs to be done.

Along with 15 other associations, Make Mothers Matter urges Governments to eliminate all forms of institutional obstetric and gynecological violence against women.

Governments must promote respectful maternity care, and involve mothers and women’s groups in all decisions concerning childbirth policies and practices. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has made several recommendations to address the issue, including on the prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during childbirth, on positive pregnancy and birth. A report of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women also calls for action.

Every woman has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including the right to dignified, respectful health care throughout pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the right to be free from violence and discrimination.

Read the full Statement