A mini-documentary series, Push comes to Shove: Stories of Obstetric Violence, aims to shed light on this lesser known but pervasive and prevalent form of gender-based violence (GBV).
During 16 Days of Activism against GBV, social movement Embrace, the Movement for Mothers, is raising awareness of obstetric violence in South Africa.
Obstetric violence refers to verbal, physical and psychological abuse, humiliation or the denial of health-care services by health practitioners while accessing health-care during pregnancy, labour, childbirth or post-partum period.
Embrace advocacy strategist Nonkululeko Mbuli said obstetric violence can have serious and enduring consequences, and can result in preventable maternal death, neonatal disability, newborn death, postnatal depression, and other perinatal mental health conditions.
“Women and birthing people are targeted by multiple and intersecting forms of marginalisation and discrimination based on…
