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Nairobi, September 11, 2024 — Githunguri Member of Parliament, Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba, this morning convened a crucial consultation meeting with representatives from the Center for Reproductive Rights Kenya and the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) to discuss policy interventions aimed at addressing obstetric violence (OBV) in Kenya. The meeting is part of Wamuchomba’s ongoing efforts to ensure that women across the country have access to safe and dignified delivery options in healthcare systems.
The consultation follows a motion Wamuchomba proposed last year in the Kenyan National Assembly, advocating for the creation of a national policy on obstetric violence. Her campaign, “Heshimu Uzazi” (Respect Motherhood), seeks to shed light on the distressing accounts of women who have experienced mistreatment, neglect, and abuse in delivery rooms and maternity wards throughout Kenya.
“I am deeply grateful to the Center for Reproductive Rights and KEWOPA for their unwavering support in this initiative,” Wamuchomba stated. “Together, we are making strides toward ensuring that every woman in Kenya can give birth in an environment that respects her dignity and rights.”
Wamuchomba, a staunch advocate for women’s rights, first raised the alarm on obstetric violence during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. At the time, she highlighted the urgent need for legislation to protect women from the often-overlooked abuses that occur during childbirth.
“The mistreatment of women in our healthcare facilities is unacceptable,” Wamuchomba emphasized during the meeting. “It is time we put in place policies that hold our healthcare systems accountable and ensure that every woman receives the care and respect she deserves during one of the most vulnerable times in her life.”
The proposed national policy on obstetric violence is expected to set clear guidelines for the treatment of women in maternity care, emphasizing the importance of informed consent, respectful communication, and the elimination of harmful practices. It aims to empower women to speak out against mistreatment and ensure that healthcare providers are adequately trained to offer compassionate and respectful care.
As the discussions continue, Wamuchomba remains committed to pushing this critical agenda forward, with the hope that Kenya will soon have robust policies in place to protect women from obstetric violence and uphold their rights to safe and dignified childbirth.
