Pregnancy in a Pandemic: Respectful Care During COVID

07/09/20 • 24 min

Brave Voices, Bold Actions: Women's Health, Rights & You

Respectful care and a life free from abuse is due to every woman in every health system around the world – no matter what, even during the current COVID-19 crisis.
In this very special episode of White Ribbon Alliance's Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast, we’re talking about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on pregnancy and childbirth. More than ever, women and newborns need quality maternity care services - and healthworkers must be supported to provide that care. There are no exceptions in times of crisis, even the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is putting more pressure on already overstrained health systems around the world.

We hear from new mother Saima from Pakistan and doula Annie Arenas, who share their experiences with birth during the time of COVID. We are joined by Rt. Hon Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and current board chair of PMNCH about what leadership in times of crisis looks like, and how listening to women's voices is the key to saving lives. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!
Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast

Previous Episode

The Fight for Reproductive Justice

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 2 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to information, informed consent, & respect for choices & preferences, including companion of choice during maternity care & refusal of medical procedures.

We hear from Monique Lacombe, who bravely shares her birth story and the damage caused by the disrespectful treatment she received at the hands of her healthcare providers, and reproductive rights advocate Isabel Fulda, who is working with GIRE Mexico to end obstetric violence in Mexico and beyond. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!
Learn more at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast.

Next Episode

Where There Are No Curtains: The Importance of Privacy During Childbirth

This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 3 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to privacy and confidentiality during pregnancy and childbirth.

We hear from Rose Mlay, a midwife from Tanzania, who shares the all too common experience of women forced to give birth without the chance for personal privacy, and how that lack of protection harms women and their newborns, and from White Ribbon Alliance Zimbabwe's Dr. Christina Rawdon, a midwife and educator who is credited with bringing Respectful Maternity Care to Zimbabwe. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!
Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast

Brave Voices, Bold Actions: Women's Health, Rights & You - Pregnancy in a Pandemic: Respectful Care During COVID

Transcript

Diana Copeland (00:03):

Too often treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Respectful care and a life free from abuse is due to every woman in every health system around the world, including during the current COVID-19 crisis.

Diana Copeland (00:19):

My name is Diana Copeland and I work with White Ribbon Alliance, a locally-led, globally-connected grassroots movement, advocating for the health and rights of women and newborns. In this very special episode o