Leading global health and development agencies have released a groundbreaking implementation guide designed to help countries provide respectful, dignified care and eliminate mistreatment in maternal and newborn health services. The guide, titled the Compendium on Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care, addresses widespread issues such as neglect, abuse, and non-consensual medical procedures that many women face during childbirth.
Mistreatment takes many forms, including being slapped, shouted at, or forcibly restrained, with communication gaps common in care settings. A 2019 study by the UN’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction, supported by WHO, found that over 40% of women experienced abuse or discrimination during labor or childbirth in four countries. The study also revealed that many women underwent medical procedures, such as episiotomies and vaginal examinations, without their consent.
Dr. Hedieh Mehrtash, Technical Officer and co-lead of the compendium, emphasized that respectful care is a fundamental human right essential to positive health outcomes and care experiences. She highlighted the urgent need for health systems to embed dignity, equity, and respect in every aspect of maternity and newborn care to prevent contempt and abuse.
The Compendium on Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care represents the first global effort to translate respectful care principles into concrete implementation strategies. It builds on WHO’s 2014 statement on preventing disrespect and abuse during childbirth and responds to growing global awareness that mistreatment harms individuals and undermines trust in health systems.
Anayda Portela, WHO Scientist and co-lead of the compendium, noted that achieving respectful care requires committed health authorities and stakeholders to intentionally integrate these principles within health systems. This involves creating safe environments where women, families, and health workers feel heard, valued, and supported, ensuring quality care for all.
Targeted primarily at health program managers, the guide compiles recent evidence, practical tools, and recommended actions to strengthen respectful care across maternal and newborn services. It includes strategies such as enacting supportive policies, training health workers, improving work environments, and involving women and families in care planning and monitoring.
The compendium also brings attention to often overlooked areas of mistreatment, including perinatal mental health, support for bereaved families, and care for small or sick newborns. It encourages decision-makers to tackle root causes of mistreatment like harmful policies, stigma, discrimination, and under-resourcing that contribute to poor care quality.
Over the past decade, research and advocacy on respectful care have expanded significantly, with WHO developing tools and standards to improve maternal and newborn health. The new compendium serves as a comprehensive resource complementing existing WHO products and provides a one-stop reference for evidence and tools on respectful care.
The Compendium on Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care is published by WHO in partnership with UNFPA, UNICEF, the United Nations’ Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP), with support from Jhpiego and the MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership programme.
