(Re)framing Birth

Giving birth under circumstances of violence, discrimination or stress is a reality for many pregnant individuals today. Economic and social resources often determine individuals’ access to a safe and welcoming environment when giving birth. So does their class, race and gender – to name but a few. Recently, stories of obstetric violence and criticism of the commercialisation of midwifery have gained wider attention as people start to speak up about their experiences. How do we fulfil a vision of birth justice where everyone has the information, support and medical treatment that they need in order to have a self-determined birth?

In the fourth episode of our online discussion series on (Re)framing Reproduction we discuss how our healthcare system needs to change in order to include all people who are capable of giving birth and how we can place them at the heart of this political debate.

Speakers:

• Dr. Mandy Mangler, Chief of Gynecology, Germany

• Daniela Drandic, Reproductive Rights Advocacy Program, udruga RODA Roditelji u akciji (Roda - Parents in Action), Croatia

• Kaveri Mayra, Human Rights in Childbirth (HRIC), India

Moderator: Sham Jaff, a journalist and political scientist in Berlin. She writes the weekly newsletter 'what happened last week' on underreported news from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Jaff is also the host of several podcasts such as '190220 – Ein Jahr nach Hanau', a Spotify Original podcast that was awarded the Grimme Online Award in 2021.