In a recent virtual panel conducted by Human Rights Watch, experts discussed the pressing issue of obstetric violence across Africa. This crisis significantly contributes to the continent’s elevated maternal mortality rates, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive reforms in maternal healthcare. Panelists, including legal professionals and researchers, emphasized the severity of the mistreatment experienced by women during childbirth, which can include physical and verbal abuse, coercive medical procedures, and detention for unpaid fees.
The discussion featured insights from Achieng Orero, a Kenyan lawyer with the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa, Melinda Mugambi from KELIN, and Skye Wheeler from Human Rights Watch. Their conversations illuminated the challenges faced by women in facilities like Sierra Leone’s Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, where informal payments can dictate the quality of care. A tragic testimony from a mother whose child died due to neglect underscored the dire consequences of this systemic issue. Details of this troubling reality are further explored in a report by JURIST.
Despite a slight decrease in maternal mortality rates—from 727 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 442 in 2023—Africa still accounts for 70 percent of global maternal deaths, far exceeding the Sustainable Development Goals target. The panelists stressed that while the numbers have improved, the non-fatal impacts of obstetric violence remain deeply damaging and often go unreported.
Compounding the issue is the reluctance of African courts to address cases of obstetric violence explicitly. Achieng Orero noted that terms like “respectful maternal healthcare” are often used instead, which can dilute legal responses to the abuse experienced during pregnancy and birth. The practical challenges of litigation in conflict-ridden regions further exacerbate the situation; in countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a breakdown in judicial systems hampers efforts to achieve justice.
One hopeful model comes from Tanzania, which has significantly reduced its maternal mortality rate by bolstering Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care facilities and enhancing healthcare staffing and referrals. This approach demonstrates a potential pathway for other African nations to improve maternal outcomes.
The stories shared and the data presented reveal that obstetric violence is not only a healthcare issue but a profound violation of human rights. Greater awareness, investment in healthcare infrastructure, and legal reform are crucial to addressing this crisis and safeguarding the dignity and lives of women and their newborns across Africa.