When we published our report ‘Systemic Racism, Not Broken Bodies’, we committed to disrupt and dismantle racism in all its forms within the maternity care system.
We must accordingly address the distinctly heightened challenging of Lady Amos’ credibility, knowledge and authority since the publication of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation report.
This is misogynoir – an insidious combination of anti-Black racism and sexism that manifests itself (amongst many ways) in a lack of respect where knowledge production is concerned.
Anti-racist practice requires all of us to interrogate the way we respond to this moment by questioning whose knowledge is valued in the journey towards change.
This is not about silencing criticism, but respectful critique must remain focussed on the process of the investigation and content of the report, without descending into an indictment on an individual’s character, expertise, integrity, authority or credibility.
As the Birthrights team, we continue with our careful analysis of the findings of both the National investigation and the Nottingham review. In the coming weeks we will share our considered reflections on both reports, including their strengths, areas of weakness, important omissions, and conclusions on where we must go from here to achieve systemic change in maternity services.
Birthrights is the leading authority on the human rights of women and birthing people during pregnancy and birth in the UK. We believe that all women and birthing people should be able to exercise their right to make informed decisions about their bodies and care, and to do so free from discrimination, coercion and violence. We champion rights by supporting women and birthing people, training healthcare professionals, holding systems and institutions to account, and making visible diverse experiences of maternity care.
Birthrights was co-founded by human rights barrister, Elizabeth Prochaska and doula and author Rebecca Schiller more than 10 years ago because no other organisation in the UK was looking at the breadth of issues in maternity care through a human rights lens. We continue to offer rights-based information on everything from maternal request caesarean to unassisted birth. Alongside the information we provide to women and birthing people and their supporters, we also engage directly with Trusts and hospitals, wherever possible as a critical friend, but we are never afraid to take legal action, and campaign for change.