I have read the article entitled “Respectful Maternity Care is Everyone’s Responsibility” by Rebeccah Bartlett published in 2015.
Just with the title itself I already feel the weight of respectful maternity care. And it is indeed everyone’s responsibility as it is not just the mother nor the healthcare workers involved, but the whole system that needs to be promoting the practices that recognize women's preferences and women's and newborns' needs. What strikes me the most is that women are not dying because of untreatable diseases. They are dying because societies have yet to make the decision that their lives are worth saving (Bartlett, 2015).
Moreover, the article also highlighted that disrespect and abuse to women happens everywhere in our society. Whether it is from family, relationship partners, or even healthcare workers. However, it also mentioned that we cannot just put the blame to the healthcare workers. Because they too also experience abuse as they are forced to be overworked and in a bad working environment.
Thus, health systems in crisis need support to effectively implement and sustain respectful maternity care practices, and this includes addressing the rights and needs of both clients and health workers.
Reference:
Bartlett (2015). Respectful Maternity Care is Everyone’s Responsibility. Retrieved from https://www.intrahealth.org/vital/respectful-maternity-care-everyone%E2%80%99s-responsibility