Call for contributions: Royal Geographical Society -Institute of British Geographers Annual International Conference 2013, London 28th-30th August



Representing what the UN call ‘the greatest health divide in the world’, questions of childbirth and maternal/child health feature prominently on interdisciplinary agendas, in both the developed and developing worlds.



In the developing world, the global commitment to reduce infant and maternal mortality, as set out in the Millennium Development Goals, has yet to make a significant impact, with the dual issues of poverty and inequality stubbornly blocking progress. In the developed world, whilst mortality and morbidity indicators are overall more favourable, improvements in maternity care experiences and outcomes remain, for some, a priority for action.



Across the globe, then, debates about ‘improving childbirth’ continue to take place, though they are played out in different ways in different contexts. This planned space in the conference's schedule will seek to explore, and bring together interdisciplinary ideas surrounding conceptualizations of pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, in the desire to create a facilitative discursive space within which global childbirth injustice – as a key feminist issue - may be better recognized and challenged.



Session organisers: Jen O'Brien (University of Manchester) and Jo Dagustun (University of Leeds); sponsored by the Women and Geography Study Group (WGSG)



To join the discussion please send a short outline of your desired contribution to Jen O’Brien Jennifer.O’[log in to unmask]<mailto:Jennifer.O’[log in to unmask]> and Jo Dagustun [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> by Friday February 8th, or please feel welcome to get in touch with any suggestions, questions or queries.