Eliminating discrimination against women in the area of health and safety, with a focus on the instrumentalization of women's bodies 2016, para. 74
Paragraph
Paragraph text
The Working Group is concerned that many national laws and policies provide for overmedicalization of certain services that women need to preserve their health without a justified medical reason. These include requirements that only doctors can perform certain services, such as pharmaceutical termination of pregnancy or obstetric care. In many countries, women are not given a free choice between different ways of giving birth. Caesarian sections, when medically justified, can be crucial in preventing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. However, studies conducted by WHO demonstrated that performing caesarian sections on more than 10 per cent of women does not lead to improvement in mortality rates. Caesarean section rates of 30 per cent in some countries demonstrate overmedicalization of childbirth, with the risks of obstetrical complications and health problems.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and practice
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Equality & Inclusion
Health
Person(s) affected
Women
Year
2016
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
WG Discrimination Against Women, Report to the HRC (2016), A/HRC/32/44, para. 74.