The presentation on Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) in Indonesia by Dr. Pancho Kaslam of WRA Indonesia during the August 2025 ARMCC Members' Meeting highlighted the country’s persistent maternal and neonatal health challenges, with high mortality rates and barriers to care rooted in geography, socio-cultural norms, and health system limitations. A multicenter study revealed low RMC scores, particularly in discrimination-free care, underscoring the urgent need for culturally sensitive, women-centric maternity services. Strategies to integrate dignity and respect in health systems, empower women through shared decision-making were shared as critical steps toward Health System Transformation in Indonesia.

Birth companionship is recognized as an essential component of respectful maternity care, contributing to improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite its proven benefits, the practice remains less commonly practiced in Vietnam, particularly in public hospitals. This study explores perceptions, barriers, and facilitators of birth companionship in both public and private hospital settings in Vietnam.

The compendium supports efforts to end mistreatment and achieve respectful maternal and newborn care. . Emerging research has highlighted small-scale interventions, but there is still much to learn about the most effective approaches. The purpose of the compendium is to consolidate key evidence, tools and resources to support the practical implementation of respectful maternal and newborn care across different contexts. It provides program managers with essential background to build a foundational understanding of mistreatment and respectful care.

This paper presents findings from a cross-sectional study conducted across six health facilities in three Indian states between June 2019 and June 2020. It explores the prevalence and determinants of disrespect and abuse (D&A) experienced by 401 postpartum women, interviewed within two months of giving birth. Using a validated structured tool based on Bowser’s seven domains of respectful maternity care (RMC), the study captures women’s sociodemographic profiles and maternity care experiences. Ordered logistic regression analysis was used to identify key factors associated with higher levels of D&A during facility-based childbirth.

This mixed-method study conducted in 18 tertiary public hospitals across India highlights the limited presence of birth companions during labour and childbirth, with less than half of birthing women observed being accompanied. Despite strong evidence that birth companionship can significantly reduce instances of disrespect and abuse (D&A) and improve maternal experiences, institutional barriers such as lack of policy, overcrowding, space constraints, and privacy concerns hinder its implementation. Healthcare providers widely acknowledged the value of birth companions in offering emotional support and easing their workload. The study suggests that birth companions can be a low-cost, effective strategy to promote RMC.

This case study at Government Medical College, Aurangabad presented by Dr. Rupali Gaikwad, Associate Professor, GMCH during the June ARMCC Members' Meeting offers a ground-level view of how Respectful Maternity Care can be institutionalized in resource-constrained, high-pressure settings in the public health system. Drawing from the experience of a public tertiary hospital managing over 19,000 deliveries per year, the presentation covers the Introduction of birth companions, Facilitation of alternate birthing positions and Practical integration of woman-centered care approaches It captures the tangible change possible through committed leadership, small shifts in practice, and staff sensitization—even in highly burdened health systems

This presentation by Dr. Siri Yerubandi, Consultant Obstetrician, Fernandez Foundation, India at the June ARMCC Members' Meeting highlights an institutional RMC training model designed and implemented at Fernandez Hospital, Hyderabad. Co-created with C3, the model is built on the principles of dignity, empathy, and institutional ownership, targeting doctors and nurses working in labor wards. It showcases scenario-based learning, reflective group discussions and knowledge assessments The initiative is a practical example of how structured internal efforts can drive shifts in mindsets, communication, and care quality.

Mistreatment of women during childbirth in health facilities was cited as to play a key role in poor perinatal mental health in this paper. Read More...

A publication by WHO in 2019 of a four country study of mistreatment in childbirth that added to the global evidence base about validated tools to measure mistreatment during childbirth as well as the frequency of mistreatment during facility-based childbirth in Ghana, Guinea, Myanmar, and Nigeria. Read More...

This article seeks to address the gap in evidence on quality of care and respectful care for newborns (and families of stillborn infants) around the time of birth. Starting with the seven categories developed for respectful care for women, the author found newborn evidence for six of the categories. Two new categories were also identified on accountability and bereavement care. Read More...