ACHPR Event Calls for Urgent Reforms to End Obstetric Violence in Africa

By Fatoumata Jaiteh

A compelling side event held on 6th May 2025, during the 83rd Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) in The Gambia, brought much-needed attention to the pervasive yet often overlooked issue of obstetric violence. Organised by the Centre for Reproductive Rights, the session provided a vital platform for survivors, advocates, and legal experts to demand urgent reforms across Africa.

“Obstetric violence includes any act by a healthcare worker that causes harm to someone who is pregnant or giving birth or has recently given birth. People who experience obstetric violence might feel shamed, ignored, disrespected, helpless or violated,” according to researchers.

Hon. Janet R. Sallah Njie, delivering the keynote address, underscored how obstetric violence constitutes a clear violation of the Maputo Protocol, particularly Article 4, which asserts women’s right to dignity and protection from inhumane treatment.

"Some women are still giving birth on the floor. Childbirth—a life-giving process—has become a traumatic experience for many," she stated. "While the adoption of the resolution recognising obstetric violence as a human rights violation is a significant step forward, it is just the beginning."

Njie emphasised the importance of education, economic empowerment, and legal reforms, highlighting that women continue to suffer in silence because existing laws have not been effectively enforced or challenged.

Panellist Rubaina Chano shared a deeply personal account of mistreatment during pregnancy and delivery. "When I went to the clinic, the nurse spoke to me in a degrading manner. During a subsequent visit, I was told my baby had died in my womb. I had carried that pregnancy for eight months, and they didn’t even consult me," she recounted.

Another panellist, Rosemary Kirni, noted that obstetric violence is alarmingly prevalent, manifesting in verbal abuse, neglect, and non-consensual procedures. "What’s more disturbing is that it has been normalised. Many women endure it without even realising their rights have been violated," she remarked. "Though we haven’t yet won cases in the high court, bringing these cases forward is raising awareness and sparking essential dialogue."

Raymond Kanegene, a representative from Tanzania, highlighted the legal gaps in addressing obstetric violence in his country. "Currently, there is no specific law criminalising obstetric violence in Tanzania. While it is not categorised as a criminal offence, medical professionals are still accountable to regulatory bodies for breaches of conduct," he explained.

Speakers at the session agreed that political will, civil society engagement, and strategic legal advocacy are critical to ending systemic abuse in maternal healthcare across the continent.

The event concluded with renewed calls for African states to adopt comprehensive policies that ensure respectful maternal care and hold perpetrators within the medical system accountable.