Safer Together: Respectful Maternity Care and COVID-19
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.
Protecting Rights, Improving Outcomes
From forced medical procedures to mandatory separation of mother and baby to lack of personal protective equipment for healthworkers, violations of women’s, newborns’ and healthworkers’ rights are widespread, across geographies and income levels. However, innovative approaches are emerging as women, families and healthworkers look for answers, together.
The Global Respectful Maternity Care Council, a multi-sector group comprised of more than 150 organizations across 45 countries and convened by White Ribbon Alliance, calls on everyone to play their part to ensure that all women and newborns receive vital life-saving interventions and that their right to dignity and respect during pregnancy and childbirth is upheld.
Read the press release.
This agenda equips advocates at all levels with clear calls to action for governments and decision-makers, health providers, community groups and individuals. We all have a role to play.
Stories
Pregnancy in the Pandemic: Stories from the frontline
Do you have a story to share about maternal and newborn health in the time of Covid-19? We are gathering these stories from across the globe and hope you will share yours.
Resources
Information for Women and Health Providers (Downloads)
Additional Resources (External Links)
NEW! Upholding Rights Under COVID-19: The Respectful Maternity Care Charter
World Health Organization guidance for pregnant and breastfeeding women social tiles | FAQs (multiple languages available) (5/6/2020)
Partnership for Maternal, Child and Newborn Health COVID-19 collected guidance and resources
Every Woman, Every Child Initiative’s COVID-19 guidance and resources
Toolkit
Key messages, infographics and other resources to help you share clear, evidence-based information with your personal and professional networks.
