International Training Week on Obstetric Violence at Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research
Barcelona, June 17-20, 2025
From 17 to 20 June 2025, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) hosts an intense international training week within the European project IPOV – Respectful Care, funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges (HORIZON-MSCA) program. Under the coordination of Dr. Serena Brigidi (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Anthropology, Philosophy and Social Work) and member of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Group of VHIR, the initiative brings together researchers and health professionals from Europe and Latin America in order to promote interdisciplinary exchange, explore innovative training tools and generate critical reflection to eradicate obstetric violence.
Objectives and interdisciplinary approach
To foster dialogue between social and biomedical sciences to understand obstetric violence as a global phenomenon, linked to structural inequalities, medical hierarchies and gender power imbalances.
To develop shared and innovative methodologies-workshops, clinical simulations, participatory dynamics and artistic expressions-that enable the identification, prevention and redress of abuse during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
Create collaborative networks among researchers, health professionals, activists and policy makers to promote more humane, respectful and person-centered models of care for pregnant women.
“Our goal is to break disciplinary and territorial boundaries, creating a space for training and deep listening where science, activism, art and clinical practice can meet to promote more humane and fairer models of care.” – Dr. Serena Brigidi (Universitat Rovira i Virgili)
Fotografía de las partipantes en una de las sesiones de investigación
Updated Agenda
Complete program
Tuesday, June 17 – Day 1: Mediation and clinical visit
14:00 – 14:30: ONLINE welcome and introduction by Dr. Serena Brigidi (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain).
14:30 – 16:30: Workshop on conflict mediation in maternal and reproductive health, given by Silvina García Conto (ACADP – Asociación Civil Argentina de Puericultura).
17:00 – 18:30: Visit to the Neonatal ICU of Vall d’Hebron Hospital, guided by Fátima Camba Longueira (Neonatology Department, Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Spain).
Wednesday, June 18 – Day 2: Co-creation and artistic language
10:00 – 11:15: Workshop “Giving voice to health professionals, mothers and activists…”, facilitated by Ilaria Mariani (IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Italy), focused on co-creating an action plan from the IMAgiNE GLOBAL project data.
REMINDER: Then, we will attend the theatrical performance at Sala Fèlix, located in the Raval neighborhood. The play will start promptly at 12:00 h, so it is very important to arrive on time. Given that the margin for the displacement will be short, from the Hospital Vall d’Hebron we recommend using the metro line 3 (green) to facilitate mobility. How to get there: we advise you to take the subway, L3 green.
12:00 – 13:30: Performance of the play Salve Regina, written and performed by Ángela Palacio. Sala Fèlix Carrer de la Riereta, 31, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona
14:00 – 14:30: Post-function discussion between Ángela Palacio and the IPOV research team. Fèlix Hall
15:00 Lunch The restaurant Biocenterrecognized as the first vegan restaurant in Barcelona, is located just 5 minutes walk from the Sala Fèlix. It is located at 25 Pintor Fortuny street, in the heart of the Raval neighborhood.
20:30 – 23:00: “Catalan pica-pica” dinner at C. de Muntaner, 361, to encourage informal exchange and networking. Ask the organizers for details of the terrace where the meeting will be held and what you can bring to the dinner.
Thursday, June 19 – Day 3: Commissions and restorative justice
09:00 – 10:15: Reflection on obstetric violence commissions, with Vanessa Bueno López, Itziar García and Anna Suy (Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, Spain).
10:45 – 12:00: Workshop on restorative justice in reproductive health, with Elena Carreras Maratonas (Institut Català de la Salut / Hospital Vall d’Hebron), Vanessa Bueno López and Serena Brigidi.
14:00 – 16:00: Advanced clinical simulation I, with Dr. Serena Brigidi (URV) and Dr. Marina Vilarmau Prados (VHIR). COS Center
16:30 – 18:30: Advanced clinical simulation II, with Dr. María Fernanda González, Ema Cristina Schuler Benkendorf and Carina Leiva (Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos, Argentina). COS Center
Friday, June 20 – Day 4: Simulation and closure
10:30 – 14:30: Advanced clinical simulation III, with Serena Brigidi (URV) and Marina Vilarmau Prados (VHIR). COS Center
IPOV – Obstetric Violence: Innovative Tools for Respectful Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth is a European research and staff exchange action (2024-2028), coordinated by the University of Udine (Italy) and funded by HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE. It brings together 19 partner organizations from six European and three Latin American countries, including universities, health centers, NGOs and research entities.
Main objectives:
To advance interdisciplinary research on obstetric violence.
Design methodologies and shared digital resources for identification and prevention.
Promote models of care based on evidence, human rights and respect.
To strengthen the dialogue between science, clinical practice, activism and public policy.
All public outings of the project are made available free of charge on its website: https://respectfulcare.eu
International scope and consortium
The IPOV consortium integrates:
Spain: URV (Tarragona), UGR (Granada), UCM (Madrid), VHIR (Barcelona), En Positivo Comunicación y Diseño Social (Málaga), Observatorio de Violencia Obstétrica (Madrid).
Italy: University of Udine, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo (Trieste), SEAO (Florence).
France: INED (Aubervilliers).
Norway: Universität i Søraust-Noreg (Porsgrunn).
United Kingdom: Durham University.
Portugal: Instituto Universitário (Lisbon), Gimnográvida (Porto).
Argentina: ACADP and Hospital Materno-Infantil de San Isidro.
Costa Rica: University of Costa Rica.
Uruguay: Universidad de la República.
Entre Ríos (Argentina): National University of Entre Ríos.
Participate and keep in touch
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