Report U n NFPA: Over 39% of women in Kosovo dissatisfied with birth experience

This situation, according to the UNFPA Office communiqué in Kosovo, reflects trends found throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

According to the communiqué, the report highlights significant regional differences and finds that women from the Western Balkans reported some of the highest levels of discontent with their birth experience.

According to the report by women surveyed, 42.7 percent in Albania and 39.2 percent in Kosovo declared that they were dissatisfied with their birth experience. This is reportedly among the highest registered percentages among the countries involved in the study.

The report, titled “, looked up in the East: Women's experiences and prospects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia” are said to highlight a widespread but often invisible crisis, obstetrical violence that violates basic human rights and the dignity of women.

According to the report, whose findings are based on an online survey of more than 2,600 recently born women in 16 countries and territories in the region, nearly 70 percent of women surveyed in Eastern Europe and Central Asia say they have experienced a form of mistreatment during childbirth.

“Anketa also included respondents from the Western Balkans, including Kosovo, where women's experiences show there are still significant gaps in providing humble care during birth”, said the communique.

According to the survey, two out of three women reported having experienced at least one form of mistreatment during the birth process. These include medical procedures without informed consent, verbal and physical abuse, as well as serious privacy violations”, said in communiqué.

These findings are a strong alarm signal. Every woman has the right to the highest possible health standard, which should include dignified and humble care during birth”, Florence Bauer, UNFPA regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, was quoted as saying.

Obstetric violence, according to her, is not just a clinical issue but a violation of human rights that makes women feel powerless and hurt, with long - term consequences to their health and well - being.

Among the report's main findings is widespread mistreatment. According to the 67 percent of women surveyed, they experienced at least one form of mistreatment at birth.

Another find is “procedure without consent”. According to the report, almost half (48.1 percent) of women submitted to obstetric procedures such as epizitomy, Cesarean cutting, or administering oxytocin without their informed consent.

The report has also found that abuse is common. According to findings about 24 percent of women surveyed reported having experienced verbal abuse, including shouting and humiliation, while 1 in 10 women reported physical or sexual abuse during birth or during gynecological examinations.

Another finding of the report is that there is low consciousness and reporting. According to the report more than half (53.7 percent) of women surveyed were not familiar with the term “religion obstetricalally”, and only 2 percent of those who suffered mistreatment officially reported their experience, as it is often said because of lack of confidence in accounting mechanisms or fear of consequences.

It has also been found that there is inequality in vulnerability. According to the report, the youngest women, 18,24, and those facing economic or lower educational difficulties were evidently more likely to report experiences of mistreatment.

Within the report's publication, U n NFPA and the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (EBCOG) have also published a joint call for action, calling on health institutions and communities throughout the region to take concrete steps to eliminate obstetric violence.

“Call for Action includes some key measures: Adopting legislation, strengthening professional training, empowering women and families, providing accountability and society's commitment to the issue. /Periscopi/