3,350 gr.: Valeria Cherchi brings photography, testimony and critical reflection into dialogue with obstetric violence
September 7, 2026HOY NACE: listening to birth experiences to open new conversations about care, rights and obstetric violence
October 5, 2026IPOV and the Latin American Federation of Obstetricians invite you to an international webinar on obstetric violence
The free online event will take place on 23 September 2026 and will address rights, respect and dignity in maternity care, with the participation of IPOV Director Patrizia Quattrocchi.
The Latin American Federation of Obstetricians (Federación Latinoamericana de Obstetras – FLO) and IPOV – International Platform on Obstetric Violence / Respectful Care will hold the international webinar “Obstetric Violence: Rights, Respect and Dignity in Maternity Care” on 23 September 2026.
The free online event will provide a space for reflection and discussion on one of the key challenges in ensuring respectful, dignified and rights-based obstetric care.
IPOV would like to warmly thank the Latin American Federation of Obstetricians (FLO) for its collaboration and commitment to creating an international space for dialogue on the prevention of obstetric violence and the promotion of respectful maternity care.
The participation of IPOV in this initiative has also benefited from the valuable contributions of Ema Cristina Schuler Benkendorf and Carina Leiva, both from the Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos (UNER). IPOV especially acknowledges and thanks Ema and Carina for their valuable support in coordinating the event and facilitating the project’s participation in this joint initiative with FLO.
First session: keynote lecture on obstetric violence
The first part of the webinar will feature Dr Patrizia Quattrocchi, from the Università degli Studi di Udine, Director of the IPOV project and Professor of Medical and Cultural Anthropology at the Department of Humanities and Cultural Heritage.
Her keynote lecture will address “Obstetric Violence: concepts, evidence and pathways for prevention”, presenting key issues surrounding obstetric violence as well as findings and developments emerging from the IPOV project in Europe and Latin America.
The webinar programme also frames her contribution from a broader historical and international perspective: “Obstetric Violence. From Latin American social movements to international and European political agendas: a three-decade trajectory.”
The presentation will therefore offer an opportunity to examine how the concept and recognition of obstetric violence have evolved, from their strong roots in Latin American social movements to their growing presence within international and European political and institutional agendas.
Second session: presentation of FLO’s position paper
The second part of the webinar will be dedicated to the presentation of the Latin American Federation of Obstetricians’ position paper.
FLO will present its position in relation to the statement issued by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) on obstetric violence and on mistreatment and violence against women in reproductive health services.
The session will provide an opportunity to open a dialogue from a Latin American perspective on the role of obstetricians, midwives, institutions and health systems in preventing obstetric violence and in building models of care centred on the rights, autonomy, dignity and respect of women and pregnant people.
For IPOV, this international and collaborative dimension is particularly important. Bringing together perspectives from Europe and Latin America strengthens networks between researchers, healthcare professionals, institutions and civil society organisations, while supporting the exchange of knowledge and experiences around respectful maternity care.
An open invitation to participate
IPOV invites obstetricians, midwives, healthcare professionals, researchers, students, institutions, civil society organisations and anyone interested in sexual and reproductive rights and respectful maternity care to join this international discussion.
The webinar will take place online on 23 September 2026 and participation is free of charge.
Webinar times in Latin America
- 15:00 – Argentina, Brazil (Brasília), Paraguay and Uruguay
- 14:00 – Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Venezuela
- 13:00 – Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru
- 12:00 – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico City and Nicaragua
Webinar times in Europe
- 20:00 – Madrid, Spain
- 20:00 – Paris, France
- 20:00 – Rome, Italy
- 20:00 – Porsgrunn, Norway
- 19:00 – Lisbon, Portugal
- 19:00 – Durham, United Kingdom
IPOV once again thanks the Latin American Federation of Obstetricians (FLO) for helping to make this international exchange possible, as well as all those involved in its preparation. We would particularly like to recognise Ema Cristina Schuler Benkendorf and Carina Leiva, both from the Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos (UNER), for their valuable work in supporting the coordination of the webinar and strengthening IPOV’s participation in the event.
Because naming, recognising and discussing obstetric violence is also part of the path towards transforming it.
Organised by: Latin American Federation of Obstetricians – FLO and IPOV – International Platform on Obstetric Violence / Respectful Care.
Registration information is available through the event announcement and poster.
IPOV – RESPECTFUL CARE is funded by the European Union under the HORIZON-MSCA-2022-Staff Exchange programme, Grant Agreement No. 101130141. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.