Every year on November 25, the world comes together for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
This is a day to remember that violence can show up in many ways - not only in the streets or at home, but also in places where we expect care and safety: our health system, our hospitals, and even in the birth room.
As doulas, we walk beside families in their most vulnerable and powerful moments. We know how birth can be sacred, but we’ve also seen moments where someone’s voice, choice, or dignity is ignored.
That kind of harm has a name: obstetric violence.
What Is Obstetric Violence?
Obstetric violence means mistreatment during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum care.
It can include:
- Procedures done without asking or explaining.
- Harsh words, humiliation, or being ignored.
- Not allowing a chosen companion or doula to stay.
- Forcing certain birth positions or interventions.
- Making decisions for the birthing person, instead of with them.
It’s called violence because it takes away a person’s right to respect, choice, and care, and it mostly affects women and birthing people.
What’s Happening in Canada
In Canada, people are starting to speak more about trauma and disrespect in birth, even if the term “obstetric violence” isn’t always used.
- In 2022, more than 117,000 people in Canada reported intimate partner violence. Most were women.
- Many families (specially Black, Indigenous and Immigrants) share stories of feeling ignored, rushed, or powerless during birth.
- Studies also show high levels of birth trauma related to forced procedures or lack of consent.
While we don’t yet have full national data about obstetric violence, we can see how gender-based violence and power dynamics influence the birth experience.
What’s Happening in Brazil
In Brazil, this conversation is stronger and more visible. The term “violência obstétrica” is widely used and recognized by families, doulas, and birth activists.
- Research shows that up to 87% of birthing people have experienced verbal abuse in childbirth.
- Physical violence (like unnecessary procedures or painful interventions without consent) is also common.
- The impact is greater for Black, Indigenous, and poor women, who often face more discrimination in health care.
But there is also powerful resistance: Brazil has one of the most active humanized birth movements in the world. Doulas, midwives, and parents are working together to change the culture of birth: one story, one person, one birth at a time.
Canada & Brazil: Different Stories, Shared Struggles
When we look at both countries, we see differences in how the problem is talked about - but the heart of the issue is the same.
| Canada | Brazil |
|---|---|
| The term “obstetric violence” is not common in public conversations. |
The term is widely used and discussed. |
| Little data about mistreatment in birth. | Many studies and reports on disrespect and abuse. |
|
Doulas are growing in visibility but not yet recognized everywhere. |
Doulas and birth activists are an essential part of the called "humanized birth movement". |
|
Indigenous and immigrant families face systemic racism. |
Black, Indigenous, and poor women face structural inequalities. |
Both countries need the same thing: respect, autonomy, listening, and compassionate care.
What Doulas and Birth Companions Can Do
As doulas, we are not medical professionals, but we are part of the care team.
We help make sure the birthing person is seen, heard, and respected.
Here’s how we can make a difference:
- Speak up when you see disrespect. If a client’s voice or consent is ignored, name it. Awareness is the first step to change.
- Protect informed choice. Help clients understand options and express their preferences clearly (and remember that informend consent is different than informed choice!)
- Encourage companionship. No one should give birth alone. Companionship reduces trauma and increases feelings of safety.
- Respect culture and language. Use clear words and include families’ traditions, languages, and beliefs.
- Educate families about their rights. Share simple, accessible information. Empower them to ask questions.
- Take care of yourself. Witnessing mistreatment is hard. Doulas need community, rest, and emotional support too.
From One Doula to Another
Whether you’re supporting families in Toronto or São Paulo, Vancouver, Recife or anywhere in the world, your role matters.
When you bring calm presence, informed support, and empathy into the room, you help birth become what it’s meant to be: an act of dignity and love.
Talking about obstetric violence isn’t about blame - it’s about awareness, compassion, and action.
We are part of a global movement that believes birth can be healing.
Join the Conversation
This November 25, let’s bring birth into the conversation about gender-based violence.
Let’s make sure our work - as doulas, companions, and community members - always moves toward care, not control.
👉 Share this post, start a conversation, and tag @MamaDoulaCanada to spread awareness.
Together, we can make every birth safer, more respectful, and more human - in Canada, in Brazil, and beyond.
