Written by: Qusay Ahmed

A shocking incident inside a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo has highlighted a growing crisis of violence against women during childbirth, a phenomenon now described as systematic within some health institutions.

Violence during childbirth in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The case erupted after a video surfaced showing a doctor physically assaulting a woman after she gave birth inside the operating room in the capital, Kinshasa, sparking widespread outrage at both the popular and official levels.

Prime Minister Judith Suminua condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable, while First Lady Denise Tshisekedi demanded that those responsible be held accountable.

Although the incident appeared exceptional in its documentation, activists assert that it reflects a recurring reality.

Human rights organizations say that cases of obstetric violence include verbal abuse, beatings, and coercive medical procedures, often carried out without the patient's consent.

World Health Organization data indicates that the maternal mortality rate in the country is 427 deaths per 100,000 births, which is among the highest in the world, reflecting the weakness of the health infrastructure and the shortage of qualified personnel.

In this context, the Doctors Syndicate revealed that the country is suffering from a severe shortage of midwives, with one midwife for every 16,000 people, compared to the globally recommended rate of one for every 5,000.

The case reached the courts, where the doctor involved was convicted, but received a suspended prison sentence, after justifying his actions by saying he was trying to save the patient’s life in light of the lack of resources, including the absence of anesthesia.

However, activists believe the problem is deeper than just an individual incident, arguing that societal culture and moral judgments, especially towards unmarried women, play a role in justifying this type of violence.

With mounting pressure, health authorities have pledged to review doctors' training programs and improve working conditions within hospitals, in an effort to contain the crisis and prevent its recurrence.