Protecting human rights in childbirth
Registered Charity Number 1151152
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2025 has been a year of change, growth and challenge for Birthrights.
But our mission remains clear.
Our maternity system is still in crisis, and it is more urgent than ever to do the work that will enable all women and birthing people to make informed, autonomous decisions about their care, free from coercion, discrimination or punishment.
Birthrights is joined in conversation by Dr Kate Whitehouse to talk about maternity care and her experiences as a doctor within both the US and the UK maternity systems
The publication today of the Black Mental Health report confirms what we have long known – that systemic racism and disparities in maternity care are failing Black women and birthing people in England.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Hazel Williams as new CEO of Birthrights.
Hazel is a passionate values-led leader who has led award-winning human rights and social justice charities. Currently she is the Director of Justice Together, leading a national programme to improve anti-racist practice in the migration sector and access to justice for people in the immigration system.
Keir Starmer has laid out more detail of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. While we welcome long-term plans to bring care back into community, we need concrete action NOW to ensure access to safe, rights-respecting neighbourhood health services and maternity care.
Shanthi Gunesekera and Janaki Mahadevan will be stepping down as Birthrights co-CEOs from July 2025. Birthrights’ trustees have now started recruitment for a new CEO/s.
Healthcare regulators are meant to protect the public but their toxic cultures perpetrate so many of the key problems rife in maternity care.
Healthcare regulators are meant to protect the public but their toxic cultures perpetrate so many of the key problems rife in maternity care.
Too often there is a lack of understanding of how the law applies to maternity care among the healthcare professionals that deliver maternity care, the managers and commissioners of services or even the regulators.
Healthcare regulators are meant to protect the public but their toxic cultures perpetrate so many of the key problems rife in maternity care.