The right to health, dignity and the plight of pregnant women in Rural Malawi
Posted: 11 November, 2024 Filed under: Golda Chilembwe Rapozo | Tags: access to healthcare, adequate health services, core human rights, degrading treatment, International Covenant on Economic, Malawian health department, maternal health, maternal mortality, medical services, poor infrastructure, pregnant women, right to dignity, right to health, running water, Rural Malawi, Social and Cultural Rights Leave a comment
Author: Golda Chilembwe Rapozo
LLM candidate, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
The right to health and dignity during childbirth
Malawi still experiences one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 5.7 deaths for every 1000 live births. Poor infrastructure and service conditions mar the maternal experience for women living in rural Malawi. The right to give birth in a dignified manner for women in Malawi is constantly violated. Women are either forced to give birth at home or on their way to health centres due to long distances and poor road infrastructure. In most cases, health centres are located 25 kilometres away, and there are few affordable transportation systems save for bicycles. If they are lucky enough to get to the hospital, they will either have to share beds or sleep on the floor with their newborn babies. In certain instances, these women are even required to bring their own sanitary kits and are subjected to facilities without electricity or running water. In addition, some rural health centres lack trained personnel to provide the necessary care to pregnant women. Not only does this treatment violate their rights, but it also violates the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
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