Summary: abuse during childbirth is widespread, but the first step to fighting it is naming it

Summary

Obstetric violence refers to the mistreatment and abuse experienced by individuals during childbirth, including verbal humiliation, invasive procedures, and lack of consent. This violence is prevalent worldwide and often goes unnoticed, as it is embedded in medical practices. While some medical professionals reject the term “violence” due to its connotations of intent, advocates argue that naming the problem is the first step toward addressing it. Recognizing obstetric violence as a form of gender-based violence is key to combating these systemic abuses.

Key Ideas

1. Definition of Obstetric Violence: Obstetric violence includes verbal abuse, unnecessary medical interventions, lack of informed consent, and denial of pain relief during childbirth. This violence is structural, not always intentional, and rooted in systemic issues within healthcare.
2. Medical Opposition to the Term: Some healthcare professionals argue that the term “violence” implies malicious intent, which they claim is not present in most cases. However, the text defends the use of the term, emphasizing that violence can occur even without intent.
3. Global Recognition: Obstetric violence has been recognized by international organizations such as the UN, the Council of Europe, and gynaecological associations. Countries like Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, and Spain (Catalonia) have laws addressing obstetric violence as a form of gender-based violence.
4. Scientific Support: Studies and reports, including those commissioned by the European Commission, support the need to address obstetric violence. Research highlights the mistreatment of women during childbirth and calls for systemic changes to improve care.

Links to Related Reports and Research

1. The Conversation: Discusses the widespread nature of obstetric violence and the importance of naming it as the first step toward combatting it.
   https://theconversation.com/obstetric-violence-abuse-during-childbirth-is-widespread-but-the-first-step-to-fighting-it-is-naming-it-235161
2. European Parliament Study (2024): Provides a comprehensive analysis of gender-based violence, including obstetric violence, and its structural roots in healthcare systems.
   https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2024/761478/IPOL_STU(2024)761478_EN.pdf
3. WHO Report (2019): Highlights evidence of significant mistreatment of women during childbirth, underscoring the global nature of the issue.
   https://www.who.int/news/item/09-10-2019-new-evidence-shows-significant-mistreatment-of-women-during-childbirth
4. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (2024): Examines the role of healthcare institutions in perpetuating obstetric violence and offers insights into potential reforms.
   https://www.ejog.org/article/S0301-2115(24)00107-6/fulltext
5. Anthropology Source: Explores the cultural and medical contexts that sustain obstetric violence through an anthropological lens.
   https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fea2.12097
6. European Commission Publication (2020): A detailed publication on gender-based violence, including policies addressing obstetric violence.
   https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/74238fad-0b63-11ef-a251-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
7. SAAGE Network: A network dedicated to gender equality and the study of gender-based violence, including obstetric violence.
   https://www.saage-network.eu/
8. European Commission Publication (2020): Discusses legislative and policy responses to gender-based violence, including obstetric violence.
   https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/2c7bf1b8-0b64-11ef-a251-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
9. BJOG Journal: A journal article that addresses the debate over obstetric violence and its classification as gender-based violence.
   https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1471-0528.15270
10. Council of Europe Report: A document from the Council of Europe that discusses the recognition and impact of obstetric violence in member states.
    http://www.assembly.coe.int/LifeRay/EGA/Pdf/TextesProvisoires/2019/20190912-ObstetricalViolence-EN.pdf
11. UN Digital Library: Explores the legal and human rights framework surrounding obstetric violence and gender-based violence.
    https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3823698?ln=en&v=pdf
12. Haut Conseil à l’Égalité: A French report on sexist acts in obstetric and gynecological care.
    https://www.haut-conseil-egalite.gouv.fr/sante-droits-sexuels-et-reproductifs/actualites/article/actes-sexistes-durant-le-suivi-gynecologique-et-obstetrical-reconnaitre-et
13. Scientia Salut: A Catalonian government resource that discusses the recognition of obstetric violence and policy measures taken to combat it.
    https://scientiasalut.gencat.cat/handle/11351/10977
14. European Commission Policy on Gender-Based Violence: Explains the European Commission’s approach to addressing gender-based violence, including obstetric violence.
    https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equality/gender-based-violence/what-gender-based-violence_en
15. Argentina’s Family Violence Law: A legal framework in Argentina addressing family and gender-based violence, including obstetric violence.
    https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/ley_26485_violencia_familiar.pdf
16. Uruguayan Law on Gender-Based Violence (2017): Uruguay’s legal framework addressing violence against women, including obstetric violence.
    https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes/19580-2017/6
17. Catalonian Legal Framework (2020): Catalonia’s legislative response to obstetric violence as a form of gender-based violence.
    https://portaljuridic.gencat.cat/ca/document-del-pjur/?documentId=889760
18. Gender Studies in Latin America: A study on the intersectionality of gender-based violence in Latin America, with references to obstetric violence.
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10130950.2021.1958553
19. European Parliament Study (2024): Another key study by the European Parliament addressing structural gender-based violence, including obstetric violence.
    https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2024/761478/IPOL_STU(2024)761478_EN.pdf

Patrizia Quattrocchi, Professor of Cultural Anthropology, Università degli Studi di Udine; Clémence Schantz, Sociologue, Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD); Rodante van der Waal, Independent midwife & PhD-candidate Care Ethics, Universiteit Voor Humanistiek; Stella Villarmea, Professor of Philosophy, Complutense University of Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid y Virginie Rozée, Chargée de recherche, Santé et Droits Sexuels et Reproductifs,, Ined (Institut national d’études démographiques)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.