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Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 10 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the right to adequate nutrition & clean water. We start with Jacqueline Mwase , who shares what it was like to give birth to a beautiful baby girl, Jacinta, in a health facility in Malawi that lacked access to clean water. Then we chat about the human right to clean water with Dr. Joanne McGriff, research professor at Emory University and senior administrator of Center for Global Safe WASH, where she is currently working on water, sanitation, and hygiene issues in healthcare facilities globally. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!Topics: What happens when the right to water and nutrition is denied?What is the state of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health care facilities globally?What is the role of WASH in providing a respectful, dignified birth experience during childbirth?Why is it a fundamental human right to have access to adequate nutrition and clean water during and after childbirth?

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth.This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 9 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the right every child has to an identity and nationality from birth.We start with Samuel Senfuka, who went through an arduous process to prove that he had been born and legally existed while applying for school in Uganda. Then we chat with legal identity expert and TED Talk speaker Kristen Wenz about the role of maternal and child health services in upholding the right to an identity and nationality from birth for all children, everywhere.Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!TopicsHow many people around the world don’t have a birth certificate or “legal identity”?What part does gender play in the issue of legal identity?Why is it a fundamental human right to have an identity and nationality from birth?

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 8 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right every child has to be with their parents or guardians.We start with the story of Sabina Jankovičová who suffered through a traumatic separation from her newborn and is now an advocate in Slovakia and beyond for keeping mothers and babies together after birth. Then we chat with the World Health Organization's Ornella Lincetto, a neonatologist and pediatrician expert in public health, about ensuring health facilities follow evidence-based procedures related to childbirth to help every mother and newborn survive and thrive during COVID-19 and beyond.Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!Topics:How has COVID-19 impacted the way some health systems treat mothers and newborns?Why are babies separated from their parents in health facilities?What are the health benefits of keeping mothers and babies together after birth? Why is it a fundamental human right for newborns to be together with their mothers or other guardians?

Respectful care and a life free from abuse is due to every woman in every health system around the world – no matter what. Even during the current COVID-19 crisis.  In this very special Spanish-language episode of the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast, we’re talking about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on pregnancy and childbirth in Mexico. More than ever, women and newborns need quality maternity care services—and healthworkers must be supported to provide that care. There are no exceptions in times of crisis, even the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is putting more pressure on already over-strained health systems around the world.We hear from Maura Giron, from Chiapas, about her experience navigating a pregnancy that started just as COVID hit Mexico, and from doula Annie Arenas, who shares her experiences adapting and continuing to provide care for women during the time of COVID. We are joined by Dr. Karla Berdichevsky, the Director of Mexico’s National Center for Gender Equity and Reproductive Health about the steps governments are taking and can take together with civil society partners, to continue prioritizing women’s sexual and reproductive health. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth, during crises and beyond!TOPICSHow has COVID-19 impacted women’s experiences of pregnancy and childbirth?How can healthworkers be better supported to provide the care that mothers need during this pandemic?What can governments and individuals do to ensure all women and newborns receive the respectful, dignified care they need during childbirth—even during a crisis?

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 7 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to liberty, autonomy, self-determination & freedom from arbitrary detention during pregnancy and childbirth. We start with the story of Marie who was detained in a rural Haitian health center for two months after giving birth. Then we chat with Kay Sandberg and Amanda Coslor from the Global Force for Healing and the Compassionate Birth Network about what needs to be done to ensure every mother, everywhere, receives quality, equitable healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth - no matter what.Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth! Topics:Why does the right to liberty and freedom from arbitrary detention matter for women's health?What happens when the human right to freedom from arbitrary detention during pregnancy, childbirth, and after is abused?Why is childbirth and maternal & infant care often excluded in funders’ agendas for women’s human rights? How can the Respectful Maternity Care Charter save the lives of women across the world?Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 6 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to healthcare and to the highest attainable level of health.We start with two very different experiences of birth, from Elvia Rosario Muñoz Martínez in Mexico and Helen Abdul from Nigeria. Then we talk with Birth Justice activist Naa Hammond, and Australian midwife and Birthing on Country advocate Cherisse Buzzacott, about what needs to be done to ensure every mother, everywhere, receives quality healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth.Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth! Topics Covered:What is Birth Justice, and what does it look like in practice?How can donors and governments ensure women’s voices are heard and their rights are protected during childbirth? What is Birthing on Country, and how is it helping Aboriginal mothers in Australia during pregnancy and childbirth?How can the Respectful Maternity Care Charter save the lives of women across the world?Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 5 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to equality, freedom from discrimination & equitable care during pregnancy and childbirth.We hear from Bruce McIntyre, who bravely shares the story of his partner Amber Rose Isaac's experience with racism during childbirth, and Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, who is a leading expert on structural racism and is working with her organization, the National Birth Equity Collaborative, to make sure women and newborns receive the quality, respectful care they deserve. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth! Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 4 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to be treated with dignity & respect during pregnancy and childbirth. We hear from Mercyline Ongachi, a young mother from Kenya, who bravely shares her story of mistreatment and disrespect during the birth of her twins, and from White Ribbon Alliance India's Dr. Aparajita Gogoi, co-chair of the What Women Want campaign, which started in India, and which went on to give voice to 1.2 million women and girls across 114 countries on their demands for quality healthcare. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 3 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to privacy and confidentiality during pregnancy and childbirth. We hear from Rose Mlay, a midwife from Tanzania, who shares the all too common experience of women forced to give birth without the chance for personal privacy, and how that lack of protection harms women and their newborns, and from White Ribbon Alliance Zimbabwe's Dr. Christina Rawdon, a midwife and educator who is credited with bringing Respectful Maternity Care to Zimbabwe. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast

Respectful care and a life free from abuse is due to every woman in every health system around the world – no matter what, even during the current COVID-19 crisis. In this very special episode of White Ribbon Alliance's Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast, we’re talking about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on pregnancy and childbirth. More than ever, women and newborns need quality maternity care services - and healthworkers must be supported to provide that care. There are no exceptions in times of crisis, even the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is putting more pressure on already overstrained health systems around the world. We hear from new mother Saima from Pakistan and doula Annie Arenas, who share their experiences with birth during the time of COVID. We are joined by Rt. Hon Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and current board chair of PMNCH about what leadership in times of crisis looks like, and how listening to women's voices is the key to saving lives. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!Transcripts and more information available at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast 

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 2 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to information, informed consent, & respect for choices & preferences, including companion of choice during maternity care & refusal of medical procedures.We hear from Monique Lacombe, who bravely shares her birth story and the damage caused by the disrespectful treatment she received at the hands of her healthcare providers, and reproductive rights advocate Isabel Fulda, who is working with GIRE Mexico to end obstetric violence in Mexico and beyond. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!Learn more at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast.

Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 1 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the human right to give birth free from harm and ill treatment – one component of the top request from the What Women Want campaign: respectful, dignified care.We hear from Sabina Jankovičová, who bravely shares her birth story and the damage caused by the disrespectful treatment she received at the hands of her healthcare providers, and Kate Gilmore, former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, who helps examine how violations of women’s rights in childbirth are part of the continuum of violence that women and girls experience throughout their lifetimes. Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!Learn more at www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast.

Respectful care is a universal human right. It is due to every woman in every health system around the world. And, it was the top request from the What Women Want campaign, which heard from 1.2 million women worldwide about what they want most for their healthcare. On White Ribbon Alliance's Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast, we’ll take a close look, episode by episode, at the ten basic universal human rights that all women and newborns are due in pregnancy and childbirth.  From global human rights advocates to community leaders creating real change, the Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast will introduce you to the experts working on the women’s rights issues you care about. This podcast will give you what you need to understand what women’s and newborn’s rights in childbirth are, and how to advocate successfully for those rights, wherever you are.