On the occasion of International Day of People with Disability (December 3) Nguvu Change Leader Josephine Mwende, a resilient mother gracefully navigating parenthood with cerebral palsy has appealed for a more equitable and supportive healthcare system where expectant mothers with disabilities are not subjected to Obstetric Violence (OBV) in Kenyan hospitals.
Josephine, the mother of a 6-year-old son, is on a mission to protect expectant mothers whose disability makes them even more vulnerable. Her online campaign is strongly rooted in her own experience of facing OBV in several hospitals when she was about to give birth to her son.
She shares, “As an expectant mother in labor, I was rejected by one hospital after another because of my condition. It was heartbreaking when a doctor stated, “We don’t handle such people!” She finally delivered her baby at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Josephine adds “Despite the misconception that women with cerebral palsy cannot or should not bear children, I not only gave birth to my son but named him, ‘Gift.’ I hope no woman with cerebral palsy ever faces the pain, rejection, and humiliation that I went through.”
In Kenya, the grave concern of OBV significantly threatens the safety of pregnant women, putting the health and welfare of expectant mothers at risk. OBV affects people with disabilities disproportionately. Josephine is therefore asking for OBV to be regulated, victims to be protected, and allowed to seek justice through legal means.
This can only happen if the Kenyan Parliament considers discussing a recent proposal for developing a national policy around OBV.
“Since I started my online campaign, I’ve fearlessly urged for both political and civic support for the rights of people with disabilities. Notably, I’ve been graciously received in the offices of esteemed leaders such as Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakumicha, Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba, and Martha Karua, the leader of NARC-Kenya party, demonstrating their openness and commitment to the causes of people with disabilities,” Josephine shares.
In Josephine’s online campaign, she has called on the Ministry of Health, Commission of Administrative Justice, and The Office of The Governor of Nairobi County to direct public hospitals in Nairobi County to operationalize a toll-free helpline for people with disabilities.
She believes that the hotline will serve as a crucial lifeline for people with disabilities, offering immediate assistance and guidance in situations where discrimination, neglect, or mistreatment occurs. She is also seeking special consultation rooms for women with cerebral palsy as well as awareness programs to sensitize caregiving staff.
Josephine is committed to tirelessly working towards an inclusive healthcare system that provides dignified and compassionate care to all, ensuring that every expectant mother, regardless of disability, can navigate their reproductive journey with autonomy and respect.
This firm conviction is what fueled her passion and immense desire to join forces with fellow Nguvu Change Leaders Harriet Afandi and Deborah Monari to support MP Gathoni Wamuchomba in her recently launched campaign called “Heshimu Uzazi”, aptly translated as ‘Respect for Mothers’. Together, the Nguvu Change Leaders launched another Collective online petition with an urgent appeal to the National Assembly to accelerate discussions on developing an OBV policy proposed by MP Wamuchomba.
Petition Link – https://chng.it/HsfXgHVyMT
Background:
Obstetric violence is a specific type of violation of women’s rights, including the rights to equality, freedom from discrimination, information, integrity, health, and reproductive autonomy. It occurs both in public and private medical practice during health care related to pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum and is a multi-factorial context of institutional and gender violence.
According to BMC Women’s Health 2022 an open-access, peer-reviewed study says the frequency of violence is higher among pregnant women who are defenseless, powerless, and disabled.