Nakuru Sexual Reproductive Health Rights advocacy Network members have been urged to take lead in sensitizing society on obstetric violence with aim to ending such cases against women and girls.
Obstetric violence is any interference on rights of women and girls of reproductive age during preconception, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
Forms of obstetric violence include physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, stigma and discrimination, failure to meet professional standards of care, poor rapport between female patients and providers, Health systems conditions and constraints.
In Nakuru County, SRHR Network members have been challenged to take lead in mission to address the same.
Reproductive Health Champions Organization(RHCO) in partnership with KELIN Kenya this week held a two-day workshop that aims to ensure the SRHR Network members in Nakuru are equipped towards pushing for policies and other legal frameworks towards addressing obstetric violence in society.
Speaking during the two-day workshop, RHCO Executive Director Martin Lunalo challenged CSOs working on matters health to take lead in advocating towards ending obstetric violence.
He noted that SRHR Network members in Nakuru should work together towards achieving the same.
“Women are going through obstetric violence in silence. It is time we take lead, sensitize the society and ensure an end to OV,” stated Lunalo.
Sentiments echoed by Cosmas Mutua from Hope in Life Organization.
He pointed out that a number of women and girls face Obstetric Violence without knowledge, hence need for more sensitization forums.
“We need to do more of sensitization on obstetric violence in society so that women and girls can also understand on even the various forms of obstetric violence,” said Mutua.
During the workshop, a team from KELIN Kenya took the participants through the various legal and policies framework in place towards addressing obstetric violence.
Ms Melinda Mugambi noted that even though there is no specific law towards addressing obstetric violence, the constitution of Kenya has several provisions.
Some of these include Health Act, Sexual Offenses Act, Prevention of torture Act, Access to Information Act and County Government Act among others.
She added that Regional and International Laws also apply.
“Currently, we have no specific law on addressing obstetric violence in the country. However the constitution has several provisions on existing laws,” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Margaret Nyambura from KELIN Kenya who is a lawyer in matters health.
She challenged CSOs in Nakuru to take matters obstetric violence serious and advocate for improved services in health facilities.
“The change should start with us members of CSOs working on health issues. We need to bring everyone on board and have conversations around obstetric violence and how to address,” said Nyambura.
Earlier on Wednesday August 20, the team from KELIN Kenya was hosted on Nakuru-based Radio Yetu 89.2 FM where they shared in depths on matters obstetric violence an engaged listeners through questions and answers.