Strategies for the prevention of institutional violence against women in obstetric care

Abstract

Institutional violence against women in obstetric care is a human rights violation that
began to become visible in studies of the quality of care during pregnancy, childbirth
and the postpartum period. This violence against women occurs in every country of
the world and has serious consequences for women's health. Strategies to prevent
this problem include a state policy for the respect of human rights and therefore
the reproductive rights of pregnant women during pregnancy; comprehensive
sexual health education for schoolchildren; the training of health science students
in universities, with a focus on gender and respect for human rights; the inclusion
of sexual health and reproductive health courses in the curriculum of postgraduate
studies in gynecology and obstetrics; the training of health personnel in obstetric
services in the respectful treatment of pregnant women; conducting research on the
subject to improve obstetric care; and that the Peruvian Society of Obstetrics and
Gynecology continue to promote respect and good treatment of pregnant women as
an important strategy for improving women’s health in Peru.