Prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during facility-based childbirth in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan)

Delivering in Central Asia poses risks for women overall, especially for specific groups, due to a lack of awareness among healthcare providers regarding rights-based and client-centred approaches. Women in maternity facilities often face a loss of human dignity, despite the majority of deliveries occurring in these settings. Midwives’ and ob/gyns’ associations lack an ethical code guiding them against life-threatening neglect, disrespect, and abuse during labour and postpartum. The project aims to promote awareness of the importance of respecting the rights of all women in birthing facilities, particularly by introducing an ethical code into the constitution of professional organizations for midwives and ob/gyns in Kyrgyzstan. This pilot initiative aims to provide evidence supporting the implementation of ethical guiding principles in other countries, contributing to improved respect for reproductive rights, enhanced service quality, and ultimately life-saving conditions in maternity facilities across Central Asia.