Spain responsible for obstetric violence
What will be the impact of this finding for Australia?
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has found that “States parties have an obligation to take all appropriate measures to modify or abolish not only existing laws and regulations but also customs and practices that constitute obstetric violence”.
CEDAW includes in its recommendation:
• respect for women’s autonomy and her ability to make informed decisions her maternity care;
• providing women with unbiased and comprehensive information at every stage of childbirth;
• always obtaining informed consent for interventions; and
• educating health professionals on women’s reproductive health rights – respectful maternity care.
We at MHM would like all women to receive dignified, respectful, evidenced informed maternity.
The full report is available at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/07/spain-responsible-obstetric-violence-un-womens-rights-committee-finds