What is Obstetric Violence? Some Social, Ethical and Legal Aspects

Abstract

Pregnancy and childbirth are moments of great vulnerability for women and, as in other scenarios in which we find ourselves in a position of weakness and there is impunity, violence against women arises. Judges, public prosecutors, and legal actors in general tend to exclude pregnant women, conscious or unconsciously, from the protection of Human Rights laws in respect of medical practice. The implicit "“and false argument "“ is that if women are subjected to doctor"™s authority their sons will be safer. This article is intended to argue that obstetric violence is another category of violence against women.