GENEVA (14 July 2022) – A woman in Spain who underwent premature labour induction and a caesarean section without her consent was subjected to obstetric violence, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has found.
The Committee published its Views today after reviewing a complaint filed by a Spanish national, N.A.E., who has been suffering lasting physical and mental trauma as a result of her experience during childbirth.
The Committee urged Spain to provide N.A.E. with appropriate reparation for the damage that she has suffered to her physical and psychological health.
The Committee also requested that Spain respect women’s autonomy and ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive health by providing them with complete information at every stage of childbirth and by requiring that their free, prior and informed consent be obtained for any invasive treatment during childbirth.
The experts on women’s rights also requested that Spain provide obstetricians and other health workers with adequate professional training on women’s reproductive health rights. In addition, Spain was also asked to provide specific training for judicial and law enforcement officials, as well as to develop, publicise and implement a charter of patients’ rights.
Source: Spain responsible for obstetric violence – UN women’s rights committee finds | OHCHR