Description
The project aims at developing the Hungarian maternity care into a woman-centered, respectful and transparent model of care which ensures equal access to care without discrimination. Target groups: (a)disadvantaged women in underserved rural areas having limited access to care (b) middle-class women in urban areas who experience violation of birth rights, disrespect or abuse from health professionals. Objectives: (a)increasing the rate of women in maternity care (b)mobilizing women to give feedback to the system about their experiences. Activities rely on our extended professional relations and focus on strengthening women’s skills and the communities: (a)establishing a local peer-to-peer support service that provide women with information regarding pregnancy, birth and maternity care; conducting 15 personal interviews on women’s experiences in maternity care (b) organizing 10 informative workshops for women; launching a pilot hot-line.
Summary of project results
The strategic aim of the project was to make the Hungarian maternity care more transparent and equally accessible, providing evidence-based and respectful care. Furthermore, it aimed at empowering women to take part in their pregnancy and childbirth actively and find the right type of support for themselves. The project offered different forms of personalized, complex support for women: 10 workshops (EMMA Hubs), EMMA Helpline (hotline on phone and email), and a peer-support service for Roma women in a segregated community. A qualitative (in-depth interview) study on Roma women in maternity care was conducted. All of the planned activites were carried out with huge media interest. As a main outcome of the project, a new grassroot movement emerged (Másállapotot a szülészetben!) to fight against obstetric violence, and and unprecedent discussion started among women, stakeholders of maternity care and political decision makers.
Summary of bilateral results