The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) of Tarragona is part of an international consortium whose purpose is to transform public policies according to research on obstetric violence, giving women a voice to achieve a systemic change in attention to motherhood
What is obstetric violence?
It is about the violence that women suffer during childbirth in health centers, which manifests itself as contemptuous and abusive treatment. International organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the United Nations Organization (UNO) consider it a serious public health problem and a violation of human rights, but many times it remains invisible or trivialized.
Who participates in the project?
The project, coordinated by the University of Udine (Italy), has the participation of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, health professionals and representatives of civil organizations, who met last week at Campus Catalunya in Tarragona to establish the lines of work. In total, there are 39 professionals who are part of the consortium, which represents 19 institutions from 9 different countries.
What are the objectives of the project?
The main objective of the project is to create an international digital platform that is a reference to ensure respectful attention to maternity and childbirth. In addition, it will also develop research, training, dissemination and communication activities, as well as the production of informative materials, awareness-raising materials, seminars and scientific publications.
How will the digital platform be made?
Serena Brigidi, researcher at the Department of Anthropology, Philosophy and Social Work of the URV (DAFITS), explained that “this platform, which will be constantly updated, will connect academic research with public policies, focusing on the needs of women and civil society”.
Brigidi participates in the project by implementing a training program aimed at health professionals, especially gynecologists and obstetricians, which takes into account aspects of gender and human rights. Over the next four years, we want to raise awareness about obstetric violence, but also offer practical and effective solutions to achieve a systemic change in maternity care.
“We want the IPOV-Respectful Care project to be an opportunity to rethink and improve obstetric practices worldwide, emphasizing the respect, dignity and rights of women during one of the most important moments of their lives” , said Brigidi.