Midterm Meeting of the European IPOV Project
June 23, 2025When Observation Becomes Connection: Experiences from a European Exchange on Respectful Maternity Care
July 10, 2025Patrizia Quattrocchi Shares IPOV Project Insights on Obstetric Violence at AIBR Conference
On 2 July 2025, Patrizia Quattrocchi presented the paper titled “From Anthropological Research to Public Policy: Action-Research-Training Experiences on Obstetric Violence between Latin America and Europe” at the AIBR International Conference of Anthropology (Ibero-American Anthropologists Network), held in Santander, Cantabria, from 1 to 5 July 2025.
Her participation in the conference took place within the framework of the IPOV project, during her secondment in Spain (Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research – VHIR, 18 June–17 July 2025). It provided her with an opportunity to engage in a space of collective reflection on the dilemmas, challenges and prospects of contemporary societies, aligned with the event’s theme: “EXPECTATIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES.” Nearly four hundred specialists from more than 20 countries and across various disciplines took part in the gathering.
The photo shows Patrizia Quattrocchi, coordinator of the European project IPOV – Respectful Care, alongside Professor Arachu Castro, Chair of Public Health in Latin America at Tulane University School of Public Health. The meeting took place during the 11th AIBR International Anthropology Conference, where they exchanged insights on the global research and policy response to obstetric violence.
Abstract of the presentation
In her talk, she discussed two decades of work on obstetric violence, understood as abusive and disrespectful acts towards women during childbirth and delivery, which are now recognised by international organisations as a form of gender-based violence, institutional violence, and a violation of reproductive rights
Starting with ethnographic research conducted between 2016 and 2018 in Argentina (EU-HORIZON2020-MSCA-GF), she analysed the social and political processes that led to the legal recognition of this type of violence in the country — a process mirrored in six other Latin American countries. She then explored connections with the growing debate in Europe, where two major initiatives are situated: the coordination of the report “Obstetric Violence in the European Union: situational analysis and policy recommendations,” commissioned by the European Commission and published in 2024, and the coordination of the international project IPOV-RESPECTFULCARE (EU-HORIZON-MSCA-Staff Exchange), carried out by a consortium of 19 institutions across 9 countries (6 in Europe and 3 in Latin America)
These experiences have allowed for reflection on the contribution of anthropology — particularly in the fields of health and reproduction — to the implementation of public policies. At the same time, they have helped identify alliances between diverse perspectives and actors (women, health professionals, policy-makers). Such alliances are seen as collective strategies to move beyond the prevailing perception of childbirth as a risky and uncertain process, and instead reclaim a physiological, respectful approach towards human beings and their environment.
During the event, Patrizia also had the chance to engage in dialogue with fellow experts on reproductive health and obstetric violence, including Arachu Castro, Chair of Public Health in Latin America at Tulane University School of Public Health. Professor Castro has conducted extensive work on obstetric violence in Latin America and the Caribbean (see the “Global Research” session on our platform to explore her contributions).
Disclaimer: Project IPOV RESPECTFULCARE has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-MSCA-2022-Staff Exchange programme. 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.