Health professionals and patient groups call for action on gynaecological violence
A working group set up to address obstetrical and gynaecological violence has called for female patients to be better informed and more involved in decisions about their sexual and reproductive health rights. The group also wants to see improvements to working conditions in the field.
Obstetrical and gynaecological violence includes any act, statement, behaviour or omission in the context of sexual and reproductive healthcare that affects the physical or psychological integrity of female patients. It can take different forms, such as lack of informed consent, denial of pain, demeaning comments or disrespecting patients’ choices.
Following several testimonies on social media, an interfederal working group was set up to address the problem. The group is made up of government agencies, health professional organisations and patient associations, and is now publishing a set of recommendations.
It recommends seven actions for the prevention and treatment of violence. For instance, patients should be better informed about their sexual and reproductive health rights and the role of patients in decisions about their health and respect for informed consent should be strengthened.
Mediation and reporting mechanisms should improve and health workers should be better trained on the topic, the group says, with better collection and analysis of data. Associations active on the issue and representing patients should be supported and working conditions in sexual and reproductive health services need to improve.
The aim of these actions is to promote the healthcare relationship, which is based on trust, communication and shared decision-making, the group says. The relevant authorities should now start working on the recommendations to develop a coordinated policy.
"It is imperative that we as a society work together on these issues"
“This recommendation reaffirms the importance of better recognition of the health professions and improving the working conditions of sexual and reproductive health professionals, in order to achieve quality, accessible, continuous and personalised care that respects patients and their needs,” midwives’ organisations VBOV and UPSFB said.
For patient associations, this is an important step in recognising the issue. “The recommendation ensures that gynaecological and obstetric violence is highlighted as a political and social issue,” said the Gender and Health Coalition. “It is imperative that we as a society work together on these issues.”
In November, dozens of women spoke out in various media alleging transgressive behaviour by a gynaecologist working in Antwerp and Leuven. The Flemish hotline for reporting inappropriate behaviour received more than 150 calls, prompting the opening of two extra phone lines to cope with the influx.
Women in Nantes, France, protest against violence on International Women's Day, 8 March 2025 © PHOTO HANSLUCASCOLLECTION
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