according to WHO, many women across the globe experience disrespectful and abusive
treatment during childbirth, violating not only their rights to respectful care, but
also threatening their rights to life, health, bodily integrity, and freedom from
discrimination [
[1]
]. Such conditions have been described as ‘obstetric violence’ (OV), a term that stands
for the appropriation of the body and reproductive processes of women by health personnel
during pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum. Although OV was first described in Latin
America during the 2000s [
[2]
] and the term is mostly used in developing countries [
[3]
], abuse and disrespect during childbirth are diffused worldwide and their perception
is increasing in developed countries as well [
[4]
].To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- The prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during facility-based childbirth. WHO statement: Every woman has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to dignified, respectful health care.2015 (WHO/RHR/14.23)
- Obstetric violence: a new legal term introduced in Venezuela.Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2010; 111: 201-202
- Eliminating abusive ‘care’: a criminal law response to obstetric violence in South Africa.South African Crime Q. 2015; 54: 5
- The global epidemic of abuse and disrespect during childbirth: history, evidence, interventions, and FIGO’s mother-baby friendly birthing facilities initiative.Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2015; 131: S49-52
- Defining disrespect and abuse of women in childbirth: a research, policy and rights agenda.Bull World Health Organ. 2014; 92: 915-917
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 28, 2018
Received:
March 14,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
