How has COVID-19 affected women's rights during childbirth? Help us track this globally
Since the pandemic started, we've been documenting cases of abuse and mistreatment of women in labour around the world. Explore our findings – and help add to them.
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationInteractive: What women are telling us about childbirth in COVID-19Our team of feminist investigative journalists is documenting abuses of women’s rights during COVID-19. We need your...
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationTop doctors and lawyers condemn ‘shocking’ treatment of women in childbirth during COVID-19Exclusive: openDemocracy investigation reveals ‘traumatic’ incidents defying WHO guidelines in 45 countries – as...
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationIndigenous women report racism and neglect in COVID-19 Canada childbirthBirth workers say pandemic policies have ignored the needs of pregnant Indigenous women, leaving them with...
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Published in:50.50UK government criticised for 'inconsistent' restrictions on pregnant women’s check-upsMaternal health advocates demand answers after pubs and shops reopen but some women in England’s least-hit areas are...
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Published in:50.50Aid donors ‘disturbed’ by reports of childbirth violationsFollowing openDemocracy revelations of WHO childbirth guidelines being flouted around the world, major donors...
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Published in:50.50: OpinionMistreated pregnant women deserve more than your outrageA meaningful response to obstetric violence requires political will from policy-makers and accountability for...
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Published in:50.50: OpinionWhy ‘pro-family’ groups ignore pregnant African women dying during COVID-19CitizenGo doesn’t want women to terminate pregnancies even if their lives are at risk, so no wonder it’s ignoring...
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Published in:50.50: OpinionHypocrite Russia promotes childbirth but won't protect pregnant womenThe Orthodox Church and conservative officials promote motherhood – but turn a blind eye to women’s rights being...
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Published in:50.50Higher risks, little support: Giving birth while Black and Asian in COVID-19 EnglandWomen of colour are at higher risk of dying in childbirth and because of coronavirus. But the NHS has been slow to respond.
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Published in:50.50Meet Alabama’s feminist doctor protecting women giving birth under COVID-19Their rights are being sidelined during the pandemic. But at Jesanna Cooper’s hospital, she’s fighting to always put...
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Published in:50.50: Investigation'No woman should be treated how I was in childbirth'
How has COVID-19 affected women's rights during childbirth? Watch this 3-minute film.
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationVenezuelan women give birth in ‘hell’ amid COVID-19 and economic collapseGiving birth in Venezuela was already ‘Dantesque’, say experts. But with COVID-19 it’s even getting worse. This is...
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationWomen across Latin America ‘under pressure’ to have C-sections during COVID-19Women are facing an ‘obstetric violence’ crisis made worse by the pandemic, despite laws against mistreatment and...
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationAfrican governments warned of lawsuits for maternal deaths under COVID-19 lockdownsExclusive: Women have died or suffered unsafe births after transport bans, while hospitals report rising equipment shortages.
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationWomen are being forced to give birth ‘alone’, in post-lockdown Armenia and UkraineAcross Eurasia, women have reported mistreatment that defies World Health Organization guidelines – and national policies.
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Published in:50.50: InvestigationInfant formula companies are ‘exploiting’ COVID-19 pandemicCompanies are accused of using COVID-19 to push their products, including targeting parents’ ‘fears of infection’.
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Published in:50.50‘You have to be alone’: Romanian women recount traumatic COVID pregnanciesIn Romania, government guidelines contravene advice from the World Health Organisation – with women outside the...
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Published in:50.50A homebirth seemed like the only option
I have just given birth to my second child – but at home instead of in hospital. There wasn’t a hair on my head that...
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openDemocracy 50.50 publishes critical and in-depth coverage of gender, sexuality and social justice – worldwide.
We are working hard to track the international backlash against women's and LGBTIQ rights – and to spotlight stories of feminist resistance to those leading this backlash.