Too often, treating women with respect is seen as a luxury. It is not. Violations of human rights during childbirth are all too common in labor wards, hurting women’s chances of surviving pregnancy and childbirth.

 This episode of White Ribbon Alliance’s Brave Voices, Bold Actions podcast explores Article 10 of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter, and the right to adequate nutrition & clean water.

 We start with Jacqueline Mwase , who shares what it was like to give birth to a beautiful baby girl, Jacinta, in a health facility in Malawi that lacked access to clean water. Then we chat about the human right to clean water with Dr. Joanne McGriff, research professor at Emory University and senior administrator of Center for Global Safe WASH, where she is currently working on water, sanitation, and hygiene issues in healthcare facilities globally.

 Together, we have the power to destroy the structures that harm women during pregnancy and childbirth!

Topics: 

• What happens when the right to water and nutrition is denied?
• What is the state of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health care facilities globally?
• What is the role of WASH in providing a respectful, dignified birth experience during childbirth?
• Why is it a fundamental human right to have access to adequate nutrition and clean water during and after childbirth?