A new study released by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights significant gaps in the protection of women’s rights during childbirth, particularly in low-income countries. The study, conducted in Ghana, Guinea, Myanmar, and Nigeria, found that more than one-third of women who gave birth in health facilities experienced mistreatment or abuse.
Among the 2,016 women observed during childbirth, 42% were subjected to physical or verbal abuse, discrimination, or received care that did not respect their rights. Physical abuse was reported in 14% of cases, with women being slapped, punched, or otherwise mistreated by those assisting with their delivery.
Many women were also subjected to medical procedures without their consent, including caesarean sections, episiotomies, and vaginal examinations. The way these services were delivered raised serious concerns about the violation of women’s bodily autonomy.
Interviews conducted with 2,672 women after childbirth confirmed similar levels of mistreatment. Among the 2,016 women observed, 13% of caesarean sections were performed without consent, 75% of episiotomies were not authorized by the women, and 59% of vaginal examinations were conducted without their approval.
These findings from WHO underscore the long journey still ahead in building healthcare systems that prioritize both the health and the rights of women, especially in resource-limited settings.
