The upcoming Obstetric Violence Awareness and Healing Workshop, under the theme “Empowered Women, Safe Births, Dignified Healthcare,” seeks to shine a light on a critical but often overlooked issue affecting women in maternity care. The workshop will focus on raising awareness about obstetric violence, a distressing reality that impacts countless women during childbirth.
Obstetric violence refers to mistreatment, abuse, or neglect experienced by women in healthcare settings during labour and delivery. This can manifest in various ways, including physical abuse, verbal abuse, coercion, lack of informed consent, unnecessary medical interventions, and neglect of patients’ needs and pain. Despite its prevalence, the issue remains largely unspoken, leaving many women feeling traumatized, disempowered, and unheard.
The workshop aims to address these challenges by fostering open discussions, sharing survivor experiences, and educating healthcare providers on the importance of respectful maternity care. Key topics will include:
- Understanding Obstetric Violence: Identifying its different forms and long-term effects on women’s physical and mental well-being.
- Women’s Rights in Childbirth: Emphasizing informed consent, bodily autonomy, and the right to compassionate care.
- Improving Healthcare Systems: Encouraging hospitals, midwives, and medical professionals to adopt policies that protect mothers from mistreatment.
- Healing and Support: Providing emotional support and coping strategies for women who have experienced obstetric violence.
Globally, there is an urgent need for healthcare reforms that prioritize humanized childbirth practices, patient-centered care, and legal protections against abuse in maternity wards. By addressing obstetric violence, societies can ensure that childbirth is not only a medical experience but a dignified and empowering journey for every woman.
Workshops like this play a crucial role in breaking the silence, advocating for policy changes, and fostering a culture of respect in maternity care. When women’s autonomy, dignity, and well-being are prioritized, safer and more positive birth experiences become a reality.
