Obstetric violence and the judicialisation of maternal health rights violations in Mexico
December 9, 2025Obstetric violence, rights, and knowledge
December 15, 2025Use of the Term ‘Obstetric Violence’
When a child is born, many people who give birth are exposed to harsh treatment before, during, and after labour—verbal humiliation, invasive procedures, unnecessary medication, physical violence, and the denial of care or pain relief. This often includes the absence of informed consent for interventions such as caesarean sections, episiotomy, induction, or vaginal examinations, as well as discriminatory or degrading remarks. This is a violation of human rights, and it has a name: obstetric violence.
Many of these practices are embedded in healthcare systems and professional routines, without conscious intent to harm from individual midwives, doctors, or nurses. Some professional bodies therefore object to the term “obstetric violence,” arguing that “violence” implies intent. We—and many others—disagree: harm can be violent regardless of intention, and naming and defining obstetric violence is essential to empower both patients and professionals to end it.
The term is widely used by women’s and birth-rights movements, rooted in the words and testimonies of those directly affected—first in Latin America, then globally. It is also present in international scientific literature and in official documents from institutions such as the Council of Europe and the United Nations, and it is recognised by various professional associations and public bodies, including the French Haut Conseil à l’Égalité and the Catalan government, which frame it as a form of gender-based violence. Our European Commission–commissioned study, presented at the November 2023 Scientific Analysis and Advice on Gender Equality Annual Seminar and informed by case studies from France, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain, further reflects this growing recognition.
Understanding obstetric violence as gender-based violence situates people’s experiences within established frameworks of gender- and race-based discrimination and acknowledges the historically male-dominated context of obstetrics and gynaecology. Like other forms of gender-based violence, obstetric violence is often structural and intersectional: it can be indirect, institutional, and shaped by working conditions, hierarchies, financial pressures, training, and social norms. These dynamics also reproduce implicit biases that are well documented in research on race and gender.
There is little dispute that disrespect, abuse, and mistreatment occur during childbirth—they are well evidenced. The real question is how we address them. “Obstetric violence” is the right term because it highlights the systemic nature of the problem and the need for systemic solutions, while still allowing for individual accountability. The debate on terminology should not distract from the dialogue that matters most: the one between those who give birth and the health professionals who support them every day.
To define is to establish or to describe what something is or should be. There are already many different definitions that establish or decide how respectful birth should be. Instead of copying those definitions, we offer 5 points of consideration that will be useful when choosing between these existing definitions or developing our own for the IPOV Project. This reflects part of that process.
As everyone in the field knows, “to define is to limit”.
Nevertheless, these 5 points are helpful sources of awareness.
1. Purpose(s)
Understand the purpose(s) of the definition
Some of these would include platforming women’s voices and experiences; denormalization; empowerment; use as a basis to develop tools to support transformation; acknowledgment; create space for reflection and dialogue; challenge medical norms and unsettle globalised authoritative knowledge
2. Situatedness
Be aware of situatedness
There are many different viewpoints; countries; professions; socio-cultural considerations. Explore the possibility of regional definitions informed by the regional contexts. Important to recognise and understand the limits of what we develop due to our situatedness.
3. Continuum of Violence
Understand the continuum of violence
There is a need to recognise the full range of women’s experiences in multiple areas of their lives that are connected and overlap and share the same roots. Thus, it is important to recognise that violence happens as a continuum, occurring on a spectrum of reproductive healthcare and possibly including neonatal care. This encourages us to consider obstetric violence in relation to gender-based violence and explore whether to include neonates within the definition of obstetric violence.
4. Intersectionality
Be aware of the issue of intersectionality
This captures the discrimination and mistreatment that is shaped by multiple factors that interact. For instance, age; race; ethnicity; nationality; immigration status; (dis)ability; language; personal characteristics (weight; level of education…); religion; sexual and/or gender identity.
5. Fluidity
Fluidity
Helpful to have an established definition to encourage and increase usage, but recognise the need to leave room for evolution beyond our current understanding of the phenomenon. Ensure ability to adapt to technical evolution and changes, requiring that we keep a close eye on social, political, professional development.
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.