Obstetric violence (OV) refers to rights violations and abuses experienced by pregnant women and birthing people while accessing healthcare during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and in the postpartum period. This form of gender-based violence presents a significant threat to the global health of women and children. Embrace, South Africa’s first social movement for supported and celebrated motherhood believes that the key to ending obstetric violence lies in elevating the voices and experiences of mothers. Even though several organisations have been working to highlight the prevalence and impact of obstetric violence, this issue was not part of mainstream discourse until recently. This learning brief looks at Embrace’s efforts to influence national maternity care policy, raising awareness about the prevalence of obstetric violence, and the urgent need for respectful maternity care in South Africa.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF here or read it magazine-style on ISSUU here.
