The very first International Human Rights in Childbirth Conference took place in The Hague 31 May-1 June 2012.
The fundamental human rights in childbirth apply in every birth system in the world, but every culture and birth system has its own set of issues related to these rights. The reason to hold the first Human Rights in Childbirth Conference (HRiC conference hereafter) in The Hague, was three-fold.
First of all, it was to make people aware of the court ruling from the European Courts of Human Rights (ECHR), which stated that the woman giving birth has the right to choose the circumstances of that birth. We presented the ECHR’s explanation of this fundamental human right as a valuable tool for considering problems in birth care around the world. The conference provided a platform where the practical meaning of this ruling was looked at from many different perspectives – both international perspectives, and disciplinary perspectives ranging from ethics, to politics, medical sciences, and law.
Secondly, we wanted to show the world that the system in Holland, famous for its involvement of midwives and relatively high percentage of home births, is facing a lot of internal controversy. We also wanted to show the Dutch professionals the significance and value of that system for the entire world. Many within the Netherlands are unaware that other birth systems do not have supported midwifery or home birth. Many are not even aware that the Dutch traditional system, with its strong support for birthing women’s needs, is under threat! The conference asked the question, should the Dutch birth system be dismantled as a pre-modern vestige, or exported as a post-modern ideal?
Thirdly, we aimed to gather a large group of people from around the world, from many different disciplines to share, exchange and network in order to join hands to put Human Rights in Childbirth on the global agenda.
What we aimed for in our discussions between the experts on stage and the experts in the public -with experts we include the mothers- were: diversity, dialogue, creative thinking, connection, understanding, starting point of further research, inspiration, collaboration, joint actions, cooperation and network building.
When looking back, many of our goals we have met even more and better than we could have dreamed of.
Apart from our online activity, network building and exchange, we will continue organising international HRiC conferences, to give voice to mothers, and continue the conversation about their rights in childbirth, in every corner of the earth.
We are very excited to announce that we have already two conferences planned: Eugene, Oregon in 2013 and in India in 2014. More information soon to follow.
Since the Hague conference, numerous regional conferences have been constructed on the basis of its model. HRiC can connect and support such regional conferences, both large and small, go here for more information.
The HRiC Conference 2012 is still online accessable here.