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Join HRiC’s Key Stakeholder Advisory Group

HRiC is forming a global network of lawyers, researchers and advocates dedicated to improving maternity care - everywhere. Join us! Human Rights in Childbirth (HRiC) is developing a new strategy to inform our advocacy and strategic direction over the next three...

Terms of Reference: Key Stakeholder Advisory Group (KSAG)

Human Rights in Childbirth (HRiC) is developing a new strategy to inform our advocacy and strategic direction over the next three years. Our goal is to develop a sustainable network of key stakeholders in order to make full use of, and build on, our collective skills...

Forced Sterilisation during Caesarean and Informed Consent – the case of I.V. vs Bolivia

I.V. vs. Bolivia was the first time the Inter-American Court of Human Rights analysed the foundations of the right to informed consent.

Shared Decision Making in Maternity Care

In this article HRiC outlines its opinion on shared decision making and how it relates to human rights, specifically in maternity care.

Report on Rights Violations in Maternity Care During COVID-19

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, HRiC has been collecting reports of disproportionate human rights violations in maternity care. The first set of rights violations have been published in a report (available below) and sent to the United Nations. , The...

Contribute to our Second Report on Violations in Maternity Care during COVID-19

Help us document what is happening taken in maternity care services in your country - send us a submission by Friday, 10 July 2020.The COVID pandemic is having an enormous impact on maternity care around the world. Minute by minute, day by day, practices and norms are...

HRiC informs European Parliament Action on Maternity Care during COVID-19

HRiC has been working with a Member of European Parliament to bring light to some of the problems women throughout Europe and the world are facing in maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Report Rights Violations during COVID-19

Help us document what is happening taken in maternity care services in your country - send us a submission by Friday, 24 April.The COVID pandemic is having an enormous impact on maternity care around the world. Minute by minute, day by day, practices and norms are...

Midwifing Us Through the Epidemic

Now is the time to press our governments and policy makers to support midwifery care in communities as part of policies to address climate change or Green New Deals that are being prepared around the world – to make sure we are well-prepared for the next emergency or pandemic. We ignore midwifery models of care, essential midwifery skills, community and home birth at our peril – future generations will depend on them as part of crisis response.

Communications Volunteer Position

HRiC is seeking a communications volunteer – apply by 30 April 2019!

Africa Summit Program

Day 1 – Thursday, July 30th, 2015

8:00AM – REGISTRATION

9:00AM – WELCOME

The panels of Day One will focus on human rights issues of concern to numerous African maternity care systems. Each panel will include speakers coming from around Africa to discuss the problems and solutions relevant to these issues playing out at a local level.

9:30AM – PANEL 1: CHALLENGES

Moderator: Hermine Hayes-Klein, Human Rights in Childbirth

The speakers on this panel will present stories, research, and analysis of human rights violations in maternity care in nations around Southern Africa.  Issues under discussion will include infant mortality and women’s needs around loss, the experiences of HIV+ women and teen mothers, how the conditions in which midwives and doctors work affect their treatment of birthing women, and how pregnancy and childbirth fit into the full picture of women’s social, economic, and reproductive rights.

  • Malika Ndlovu, Mother and Poet
  • Prudence Mabele, Positive Women’s Network
  • Louise Carmody, Amnesty International
  • Yvonne Cullen, Amnesty International
  • Susan Bradley, City University London
  • Ebenezer Durojaye, University of the Western Cape

11:00AM – TEA BREAK

11:30AM – PANEL 2: SOLUTIONS

Moderator: Tanya Parker, Zulu Birth Project

Speakers on this panel will present stories, evidence, and strategies for advancing women’s human rights in pregnancy and birth.  Issues will include the economics of maternity care development, legal advocacy to ensure accountability for women’s rights, community based care and effective transport systems for rural women, and systems for supporting the needs of both women and care providers.

  • Nthato Minyuku, Mother and Architect
  • Address Malata, International Confederation of Midwives
  • Evelyne Opondo, Center for Reproductive Rights
  • Karen Clark, Bus Fare Babies Program
  • Kenneth Simbaya, Union of Tanzanian Press
  • Sally Baker, Post Natal Depression Support Association
  • Felicity Ukoko, Well Being Foundation of Africa

1:00PM – LUNCH

2:00PM – ROUND TABLE 1: MEET YOUR COLLEAGUES

Speakers and attendees will have an opportunity to gather in groups of 10-15 colleagues working in a similar field.  Groups will include Lawyers, Providers, Researchers, and Activists.

Group 1: Lawyers and Advocates

Group 2: Healthcare Providers

Group 3: Activists and Policy Makers

Group 4: Scholars and Researchers

3:00PM – TEA BREAK

3:30PM – ROUND TABLE 2: MULTI-DISCIPLINARY DISCUSSION GROUPS

Attendees and speakers will break into small groups to discuss specific human rights violations in light of their legal, clinical, social, and economic implications.  Groups will report back to the Summit on their findings as we identify themes for a consensus statement.

5:00PM – CLOSING

Day 2 – Friday, July 31st, 2015

Case Studies and Consensus Statement

8:30AM – REGISTRATION

9:00AM – PANEL 1: HUMAN RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICAN MATERNITY CARE

Moderator: Robyn Sheldon, Mama Bamba

This Panel will provide a multi-disciplinary discussion of South African women’s concerns in maternity care in both the public and private sector.

  • Tshego Bessenaar, Ibis Reproductive Health
  • Jody-Lee Fredericks, Women’s Legal Centre
  • Marianne Littlejohn, Midwife
  • Raizel Davidow, Webber Wentzel law firm
  • Dr. Natalya Dinat, Obstetrician-Gynecologist
  • Camilla Pickles, University of Pretoria
  • Commissioner Maphazi, South African Commission for Gender Equity
  • Zinzile Seepie, Zulu Birth Project

11:30AM – TEA BREAK

12:00PM – PANEL 2: MAKING RIGHTS A REALITY: PERSPECTIVES ON ADVOCACY

Moderator: Hermine Hayes-Klein, Human Rights in Childbirth

This Panel will provide a case study for efforts to make accessible, respectful maternity care a reality for women in Nigeria’s Kwara state.  This multi-disciplinary panel will illuminate the economic issues at stake in Nigerian maternity care as well as illuminate the path to implementation of respectful maternity care through national government, state government, and the policies and practices of doctors, midwives, and nurses.

  • Onyema Afulukwe, Center for Reproductive Rights
  • Felicity Ukoko, Well Being Foundation of Africa
  • Evelyne Opondo, Center for Reproductive Rights
  • Dr Aaron Mujajati, Zambia Medical Association

1:00PM – LUNCH

2:00PM – COLLECTIVE DISCUSSION OF THEMES & VISIONS FOR CONSENSUS STATEMENT

3:30PM – TEA BREAK

4:00PM – OUTLINING DRAFT CONSENSUS STATEMENT

5:00PM – CLOSING AND GOODBYE