Proposed law seeks to protect women from pregnancy-related violence

Women's rights advisor to the president, Harriet Chigai, said the causes of the violence are multi-faceted and may arise from health workers, employers and the most painful ones may arise from the family.

However, she added that most of the cases occur in institutions of care.

"A woman seeks care during her most vulnerable moment and instead of receiving the much-needed attention, she finds a burnt-out healthcare professional," Chigai said.

She said that as a society, there is a need to give dignity to the process of bringing forth life.

"As women in leadership, we need to protect and champion the respect of women, feel their pain, honour their duty to humanity, inform them of their available choices, and offer support during their journey," Chigai said.

KEWOPA chairperson, Leah Sankaire said that OBV is a serious and widespread problem that violates women's rights and undermines the principles of compassionate and respectful maternity care.

She said that KEWOPA is committed to working on ensuring that there is a legal framework in place to ensure that pregnant are cautioned against Obstetric violence.

"We as women legislators continue to be committed to a violent free society, a people that not only appreciate the demerits of the practice but also understands that it undermines the rights of women and girls," Leah said.