NEW YORK/ ISTANBUL, 12 March 2026 – Nearly 70 per cent of women surveyed in Eastern Europe and Central Asia say they experienced some form of mistreatment during childbirth, warns a new report released today by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.
The report, Respectful Maternity Care: Women’s Experiences and Outlooks in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, highlights a pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence that violates women’s fundamental human rights and dignity. The findings are based on an online survey of over 2,600 women who gave birth recently, conducted across 16 countries and territories in the region by UNFPA in partnership with the pregnancy app amma and the Moldova-based Center Partnership for Development.
The survey found that two in three respondents reported at least one form of mistreatment. This includes non-consensual medical procedures, verbal and physical abuse, and significant breaches of privacy.
"These findings are a stark wake-up call. Every woman has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which must include dignified and respectful care during childbirth," said Florence Bauer, UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
"Obstetric violence is not just a clinical issue; it is a human rights violation that leaves women feeling powerless and distressed, with long-term impacts on their health and well-being. We must work together to transform maternity care into a truly woman-centred, respectful, positive experience for all.”
Key findings from the report include:
- Widespread mistreatment: 67 per cent of surveyed women experienced at least one form of mistreatment during labour or childbirth.
- Procedures without consent: Nearly half (48.1 per cent) of women underwent obstetric procedures – such as episiotomies, Caesarean section, or the administration of oxytocin – without their informed consent.
- Abuse is common: About 24 per cent of surveyed women reported experiencing verbal abuse, including yelling and humiliation, while 1 in 10 endured physical or sexual abuse during labour or gynaecological examinations.
- Low awareness and reporting: More than half (53.7 per cent) of surveyed women were unfamiliar with the term “obstetric violence,” and only 2 per cent of those mistreated officially reported their experience, often due to a lack of trust in accountability mechanisms or fear of retaliation.
- Vulnerability gaps: Younger women (ages 18–24) and those facing economic vulnerability or lower educational attainment were significantly more likely to report experiencing mistreatment.
In conjunction with the report's launch, UNFPA and the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) issued a joint Call to Action, urging governments and medical communities across the region to implement comprehensive strategies to eliminate obstetric violence.
The Call to Action outlines critical steps to address these systemic challenges:
- Enacting legislation: Implementing legal frameworks that recognize the importance of respectful maternity care and establish protections against obstetric violence.
- Strengthening professional training: Mandating interdisciplinary, human rights-centered training for all healthcare personnel to shift clinical attitudes and ensure dignity is maintained at the point of service.
- Empowering women and families: Providing universal access to prenatal education that promotes rights awareness and informed birth planning.
- Ensuring accountability: Establishing national quality indicators and transparent accountability mechanisms based on regular, systematic patient feedback.
- Societal engagement: Supporting evidence-based awareness campaigns to destigmatize reporting and foster a societal culture of respect.
"Respectful care is not optional; it is a prerequisite for high-quality maternity services," Bauer added. "By fostering an interdisciplinary approach and dismantling systemic barriers, we can ensure that every childbirth is safe and dignified."
Media contact
Jens-Hagen Eschenbaecher, eschenbaecher@unfpa.org, +905497483655
