Dignified Motherhood: The Results of the Project Presenting the Armenian and International Experience of Maternity Care Were Summarized
Dignified motherhood, respect for women’s rights and their protection during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period are important both in terms of showing positive figures both at the state and national level and the psychological and emotional wellbeing of women and their families.
This was mentioned today during the final event of the “Supportive Environment During Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Postpartum Period” project, which took place on 30 January 2023. The project was launched in 2022 and was implemented by the “Point 33” Non-Governmental Organization in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
Liana Badalyan, the Project Manager of the Armenian Office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, said, “Even though there are problems in the field of maternity care even in developed countries, such as Germany, there are also policies meant for solving those problems. At the same time, they have overcome problems still existing in Armenia. And in this sense we attach importance to studying the international experience and taking advantage of it.”
A research piece entitled “Maternity Care in Armenia: Rights and Legal Regulations” was conducted within the project. The goal of the research is to present in a comprehensive fashion the legislative regulations pertaining to maternity care, women’s rights during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, as well as to raise the existing problems, which will later make it easier to focus on their solutions.
Astghik Karapetyan, the President of the “Point 33” Non-Governmental Organization and the Project Manager, said, “International medical institutions and scientists are making the concept of “dignified maternity care” a subject of discussion. Protection of rights, respect for the woman and her newborn are at its core. It is emphasized that services at clinics are just one component of quality maternity care, the other being decent treatment. This isn’t an additional, but an inseparable component of quality service.”
A documentary entitled “Hebammes” has also been produced within the project. It centers around the work of midwives and maternity care experience in Germany. Illustration stories with information on matters and problems relating to maternity care in Armenia have also been created.
After the presentation of the project results the questions raised at the event were actively discussed. Among the attendees were representatives of the RA National Assembly and the Government, international and local organizations, who expressed willingness to cooperate with the purpose of introducing reforms in the area of maternity care.
