The movement to eradicate obstetric violence and ensure respectful maternity care (RMC) in childbirth is expanding rapidly, both in Africa and worldwide. Awareness is growing about obstetric violence as a manifestation of systemic and individual abuse. Advocates emphasize that access to RMC is a fundamental human right supported by national, regional, and international human rights laws.
Published with Kerigo Odada and Mai Aman in the latest edition of the ESR Review Special Issue on SRHR in Africa, our feature article, “Enhancing Respectful Maternity Care and Eliminating Obstetric Violence: The African Union’s Human Rights Framework,” examines the role of African human rights mechanisms, particularly the African Commission and the African Court, in protecting the right of birthing persons to receive respectful, violence-free maternity care.
This is especially timely following the recent adoption of Resolution on the need to Develop Guidelines on the Elimination of Obstetric Violence and Promotion of Maternal Healthcare in Africa – ACHPR/Res.625 (LXXXII) 2025 by the African Commission during its recently concluded 82nd Ordinary Session, held virtually from 25 February to 11 March 2025.
This resolution mandates the Commission, through its Working Group on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Africa and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, to:
The Commission has tasked the Working Group on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Africa and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa with this.
- Condemn all forms of obstetric violence as human rights violations and gender-based violence.
- Develop Guidelines on the Elimination of Obstetric Violence and Promotion of Maternal Healthcare in Africa.
- Urge States Parties, civil society, and other stakeholders to contribute to the guideline development process.
- Present the finalized guidelines to the Commission for consideration and adoption within two years.
Unlike the case with the inter-American and European systems, the African human rights system has been little explored as an avenue for redress. Our article draws on valuable lessons from regional human rights mechanisms to highlight best practices and strategies for ensuring respectful maternity care across the continent. As we concluded:
The African Court and Commission hold significant potential to advance the cause of RMC and eliminate obstetric violence in Africa. Through their respective mandates, these institutions can develop binding jurisprudence and influential standards that promote women’s rights and hold states accountable for their obligations in this regard.
Suggested citation: Odada, K., Nabaneh, S., & Aman, A. (2024). Enhancing Respectful Maternity Care and Eliminating Obstetric Violence: The African Union’s Human Rights Framework. ESR Review, 25(3), 4–10.
