Obstetric Care, Or Lack There Of: Women Face Abusive Treatment During Childbirth

July 13, 2015 Julianne Guito

Every day nearly 800 women and girls die from pregnancy-related causes – many of which are entirely preventable. With proper access to quality medical supplies and trained medical staff, many of these lives could be saved. Yet, every day pregnant women and girls find themselves facing obstacles to seeking emergency care – among them being a very real mistrust or fear of health facilities.

Reports show that many women across the world have experienced abusive and disrespectful treatment at health facilities during childbirth. For these women, this mistreatment has left a painful mark on their memories, families and communities – deterring many from seeking skilled medical attention during life-threatening obstetric emergencies.

“Such treatment not only violates the rights of women to respectful care, but can also threaten their rights to life, health, bodily integrity, and freedom from discrimination.” -WHO

In a recent study of 34 countries, evidence showed that women at childbirth facilities often experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse (such as slapping, pinching or hitting), verbal abuse and discriminatory treatment based on age, sex, race, and socio-economic or HIV-status. This abuse exacerbates the suffering of many women who have already travelled hours or days in pain to seek help for themselves and their babies.

“Many of the complications facing these young women are worsened because of delays seeking professional assistance with their delivery.” -MSF

In an effort to ease their suffering, MSF prioritizes high-quality and respectful obstetric care in 131 projects where national health systems have been debilitated by conflict and disaster. In 2013 alone, MSF assisted in 182,234 deliveries around the world from Yemen to Burundi. Because Tomorrow Needs Her examines why countless women in these settings are at times unable or unwilling to seek emergency care, even in times of extreme pain and distress.

#tomorrowneedsher #womenshealth #obstetricemergencies


Because Tomorrow Needs Her focuses on some of the impediments to women’s health, exposing injustices that disproportionately affect women and girls around the world.