Obstetric violence in Kenya is deeply rooted in significant healthcare system gaps, according to a new report.
Women face dehumanizing treatment and non-consensual procedures during childbirth due to critical deficiencies in care.
Healthcare Gaps Fueling Obstetric Violence in Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya – 2025-07-24 11:37:00
Obstetric violence, defined as dehumanizing treatment or non-consensual medical procedures during childbirth, is alarmingly prevalent in Kenya. This disturbing reality is fueled by significant healthcare gaps, a report highlights. A major contributor is the severe shortage of medical staff and the presence of inadequately trained personnel, which can unfortunately lead to patient neglect.
What is obstetric violence? It refers to dehumanizing treatment or non-consensual medical procedures experienced by women during childbirth.
Many healthcare facilities grapple with a scarcity of essential medical supplies. Beyond this, wards—especially those for antenatal care, labor, and delivery—are often described as dirty, noisy, and overcrowded. This environment severely compromises patient comfort and safety. The absence of privacy in health facilities emerges as another critical issue, exacerbating the stress and vulnerability of women during labor.
- Staffing shortages and inadequate training contribute to patient neglect.
- Facilities often lack essential supplies and have unsanitary conditions.
- Absence of privacy and clear treatment policies are significant problems.
- A poor facility culture can force women to pay bribes for timely care.
Compounding these systemic issues is a lack of clear policies that should govern treatment during childbirth. This ambiguity can leave both patients and providers without adequate guidance. Furthermore, the report notes a pervasive poor facility culture that sadly pressures women into paying bribes to receive timely and appropriate care. These combined factors create a challenging and often distressing experience for women during one of life’s most critical moments.
