FIGO statement on respectful care: Addressing disrespectful maternity care
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Committee on Health Systems Strengthening and Respectful Care recognizes the detrimental effects of disrespectful and abusive practices within maternity care on maternal and neonatal health outcomes. In response, the committee advocates for the implementation of strategic, evidence-based interventions aimed at safeguarding women from substandard and disrespectful treatment during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This statement presents FIGO's recommendations for adopting respectful maternity care into health systems. The proposed policy interventions and clinical strategies are designed to foster compassionate, person-centered, and culturally competent care, thereby contributing to improved maternal and perinatal outcomes globally.
Authors
- Michelle Skaer Therrien (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2216-4973)
- Debra Pascali‐Bonaro
- Francesca Palestra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8619-1201)
- Birgitta Essén (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2900-2849)
- Suellen Miller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6949-1982)
- Eliana Amaral (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9151-3108)
- Margit Steinholt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3855-5039)
- Mindaugas Kliučinskas
- André B. Lalonde
- Pius Okong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4063-1590)
- Bo Jacobsson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5079-2374)
- Hasmik Bareghamyan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6491-7817)
- María A. Basavilvazo Rodríguez
- J. Miranda
- Garang Ajak
Institutions
- Uppsala University (SE)
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LT)
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO)
- University of Cartagena (CO)
- University of Ottawa (CA)
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
- University of Juba (SS)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
- Nsambya Hospital (UG)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Centro Médico Nacional La Raza (MX)
- Helgeland Museum (NO)
- Mother Hospital (IN)
- International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (GB)
- Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá (CO)
- McGill University (CA)
- Yerevan State Medical University (AM)
- University of Gothenburg (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
- Published
- 2025-09-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.70513
- Primary Topic
- Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00