KEWOPA Raise Concerns on Women Rights Over Obstetric Violence

The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has called for an end to obstetric violence which is a pressing and a pervasive issue infringing on women and girls rights.

Speaking during an obstetric sensitization meeting in Nairobi, Leah Sankaire, KEWOPA Chairperson said the violence metted on women involves not only physical abuse but also emotional abuse.

She noted that the violence occurs mostly during maternal and postpartum phase where healthcare providers including doctors, nurses and mid-wives are involved.

The chairperson revealed that the effects are severe as they include health complications for both mothers and infants.

“Families have been affected permanently as children are born with disabilities due to either neglect or mothers are subjected to prolonged labour periods,” she noted.

Sankaire reiterated that most mothers undergo psychological distress and postpartum depression which in worst cases lead to suicide.

Speaking on the same, Gathoni Wamuchomba, Member of National Assembly for Githunguri Constituency and Founder of Gamafrica Foundation said the association will continue to advocate for eradication of all forms of violence through enactment of legislation, advocacy and community engagement at all levels.

“I have brought a motion in Parliament to be debated and come up with a national policy to safeguard around women rights in the country, ” she revealed.

Harriette Chiggai, the President’s Womens Rights Advisor noted that the government will establish excellence centres in all counties with priority given to hotspot areas where violence against women rights is prevalent.

“The way you handle a mother or a child defines our society. Women rights have been violated for so long and these centres will provide safe spaces for women,” she averred.

Roseline Odede, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Chairperson noted that unavailability of maternal health services, cost of access to medical care, failure to tailor services to adhere to cultural norms remain the biggest impediments to realising women rights.

She added that women with disabilities especially the dumb suffer the most since most facilities lack personnel who can engage them effectively.

KEWOPA has so far made strides in the legislative arena with key legislations such as The Constitution of Kenya, The Sexual Offences Act The Protection Against Domestic Violence Act, The Victims Act among others.

Some of the notable obstetric violence cases in the country range from non-confidential care, physical, non-consensual care,neglect or abandonment among others