As the date of the next #GeneralElection approaches, we call on the next government to uphold human rights in maternity care for everyone.
- We have the right to life.
- We have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- We have the right to make informed decisions about our body and our care.
- We have the right to choose where we give birth, how we give birth, and who is with us when we give birth.
- We have the right to equality, to be able to access these rights free from discrimination.
Yet, in hospitals across the UK, these fundamental human rights are dismissed and ignored daily.
We are calling on the next Government to ensure everyone involved in maternity care upholds these rights for all of us throughout pregnancy, birth and in the postnatal period through the establishment of a new SAFE Maternity Care Act – an act that ensures Safety, Accountability, Freedom of Choice and Equity are at the core of the maternity system. We need new legislation to ensure:
- SAFETY – A maternity system that seeks to do no harm and commits to protecting our psychological and physical safety and preventing trauma and death.
- ACCOUNTABILITY – A maternity system that is held accountable to the law and the women and birthing people it serves.
- FREEDOM OF CHOICE – A maternity system that respects the rights of all of us to choose how, where and with whom we birth and make decisions about our bodies and care without coercion or violence.
- EQUITY– Care that does not discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone and recognises that systemic issues require systemic action.
A new SAFE Maternity Care Act to put an end to a system in crisis.
It’s time to start putting the rights of all women and birthing people first.
Our Body. Our Birth. Our Rights.
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