Nearly 70% of women surveyed in Eastern Europe and Central Asia say they experienced some form of mistreatment during childbirth, according to a new report by the United Nations Population Fund.
The report, Respectful Maternity Care: Women’s Experiences and Outlooks in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, highlights what researchers describe as a widespread but often overlooked problem of obstetric violence that undermines women’s rights and dignity.
The findings are based on an online survey of more than 2,600 women who recently gave birth across 16 countries and territories. The study was carried out by UNFPA together with the pregnancy app amma and the Moldova-based Center Partnership for Development.
Mistreatment reported by most respondents
The survey found that 67% of respondents experienced at least one form of mistreatment during labour or childbirth. This included non-consensual medical procedures, verbal abuse, physical abuse and violations of privacy.
Nearly half of respondents, 48.1%, said they underwent procedures such as episiotomies, Caesarean sections or the administration of oxytocin without informed consent.
Around 24% reported verbal abuse, including shouting or humiliation. One in 10 women said they had experienced physical or sexual abuse during labour or gynaecological examinations.
«Every woman has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which must include dignified and respectful care during childbirth,» said Florence Bauer.
Low awareness and reporting
The report also found low awareness of the issue. More than half of respondents said they were unfamiliar with the term «obstetric violence», and only 2% of those who experienced mistreatment formally reported it.
Researchers said fear of retaliation and limited trust in accountability systems were among the main reasons incidents went unreported. Younger women aged 18 to 24 and those facing economic hardship or lower education levels were more likely to report mistreatment.
Call for reforms in maternity care
Alongside the report, UNFPA and the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology issued a joint call urging governments and medical institutions to address the issue.
The organisations called for stronger legal protections, improved training for healthcare workers, better prenatal education for families and clearer accountability systems based on patient feedback.
«Respectful care is not optional; it is a prerequisite for high-quality maternity services,» Bauer said, urging coordinated action to ensure childbirth is both safe and dignified for all women.
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