It is a huge organisation and these things will take time, perhaps even several months before you hear anything. It is quite possible that they will hear your voice as just one discordant tone that may be at odds with whatever else they may be told or believe, and that they will investigate before coming to a decision. If fact, that would have to investigate rather than take the judgment of a single person. For them, you have to understand that it may be a case of "innocent until proven guilty". I understand how frustrating this is, particularly when you look at it from the point of view of the support of women, and that one more of the intolerable episiotomies or deliveries is one too many, but an investigation would be absolutely necessary before such an organisation was to deliver a strong criticism.
It is also of course possible that WHO does not see this as its remit. I don't know but it is possible. I don't have their statutes but it is possible that even an investigation is outside the rights they have as an organisation. I presume that the Dominican Republic is a member of WHO, but it is also possible that membership is at the condition that such criticisms cannot be made specifically against a particular country. I don't know, but I imagine that such political "nicities" may have to be observed for WHO to continue its work. I would imagine that even if WHO takes this on board and makes moves towards that government health authorities, it is unlikely that anyone else would be privy to those negotiations.
That is just my personal opinion. I have no idea how the WHO works in practice, but I imagine that there will be a lot of diplomacy and politics involved. Hopefully, interventions may be useful behind the scenes and your raising the issue may add to the weight of opposition to these practices.
You have done what you could by raising the issue far more widely and this may have an effect, but I think you should think at medium or long term and not at immediate or short term. It is even likely that you will not personnaly see any change for some time because people who practise this way actually think they are doing what is right. They are not nasty pieces of work who aim to mutilate women. They are also stuck in a system that is dehumanising for both carers and patients. A lot of work will have to be done before the mind set of the authorities, the economics of health care, the beliefs of professionals and the empowerement of women will lead to any changes. Nonetheless, whatever we can do is useful and may add to the pressure that the government or the professionals may feel eventually impossible to resist.
I hope that despite the negativism of the response, you feel really good about the fact that you have disseminated the information. Many thanks for having done it for those of us who had no idea. I certainly did not have any idea at all.
Best wishes
Marianne
________________________________________
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of STACY SHEER [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 August 2008 03:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Stacy Sheer traditional midwife
Why do I get no response from the WHO rep in Santo Domingo? Why?
On Wed, Aug 13, 2008 at 8:16 AM, Ruth Montgomery-Andersen <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Midwives,
This type of violence and misuse of women is exactly what ICM has been talking about and trying to heighten the aware of over the past 10 years. I think that it is important to look at the initiatives that already are in action and see if we can use them to heighten awareness and to change the situation for the women worldwide.
Obstetrical violence is a problem anywhere where women are kept subjugated, where there is poverty and where there is illiteracy.
All of the midwives who have answered Stacey have come with constructive suggestions to initiatives that can and must be taken in order to change this situation. Céline Lemay, words about respectful maternity care for women is one of keys.
Inussiarnersumik inuulluaqqusillunga/Med venlig hilsen / Sincerely
Ruth Montgomery-Andersen MPH, Dr. PhD Stud
NAPA
Paasissutissiinermik Sulisoq/Informationsmedarbejder
Information Consultant
Box 770
DK 3900 Nuuk
Kalaallit Nunaat/ Grřnland/Greenland
Tel. +299 324733 Fax: 325733
Cell: +299 559340
www.napa.gl<http://www.napa.gl>
Fra: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health research. [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] Pĺ vegne af Céline Lemay
Sendt: 13. august 2008 09:34
Til: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Emne: Re: Stacy Sheer traditional midwife
Dear Stacey,
You describe something similar I witnessed in an African hospital a few years ago.
I think that in a lot of places around the world, exist what I consider as "obstetrical violence". It is institutionalised and women become captive clients because they need care and help for childbirth.
Domestic violence, sexual abuse and incest are subject that are discussed openly now and targeted in prevention programs. Mysteriously, obstetrical violence seems one of the last "taboo" almost everywere. Omerta law.
Maternal mortality is a big problem but when women are abused like that and become survivor of obstetrical "care", we are facing a much bigger problem. (nobody is doing that even to animals).
May be there is time to do some "advocacy" for women. Respectfull maternity care is women's right and is human's right.
I hope that ICM will start to speak out about that. Complex and difficult because often we are part of a system that allow abusive interventions.
In solidarity,
Céline Lemay, sage-femme, PhD
----- Original Message -----
From: STACY SHEER<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:05 PM
Subject: Stacy Sheer traditional midwife
Hi,
I found this group upon returning this past Sunday from a week long trip to work in a birthing hospital in the Dominican Republic. I am a traditional midwife and I live in the US. Upon my return, I sent this letter to a statewide midwifery organization asking what could be done. They directed me to you, attached is my letter. Please take the time time to read it and let me know your thoughts, thank you-much love-Stacy
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