Twenty-three associations have criticized the removal of the concept of obstetric violence from a law approved in March this year, set to be discussed this Friday. They argue this omission disregards women’s voices, protects inhumane practices, and perpetuates the normalization of suffering. The associations urge the Assembly of the Republic to reject proposals from CDS-PP and PSD.
Among these associations are the Observatório da Violência Obstétrica (OVO) and the União de Mulheres Alternativa e Resposta (UMAR). They emphasize that defining obstetric violence was informed by complaints, studies, reports, and the brave testimony of thousands of women who had been silenced for too long.
On Friday, the CDS-PP’s proposed revocation of law 33/2025, enacted on March 31 to promote rights during pregnancy and childbirth, will be debated. This law initially passed amid opposition from PSD and CDS-PP, with abstentions from Chega and Iniciativa Liberal.
The PSD will also present a draft on the same subject, aiming to eliminate the concept of obstetric violence, deeming it “excessively broad and undesirably vague.”
The law’s second article defines obstetric violence as physical and verbal acts by healthcare professionals characterized by inhumane behavior, over-medicalization, or “pathologization of natural processes, disrespecting protection regimes” from pre-conception through birth.
This legislation also provides a legal framework for the use of episiotomy [a perineal incision to widen the birth canal], promoting its eradication as a routine practice, in line with WHO recommendations.
According to the law, routine episiotomies and unjustified repeated practices could lead to disciplinary investigations of healthcare professionals or penalties in hospital funding. The PSD aims to repeal this article.
The associations call for serious dialogue to improve the law collaboratively with associations and healthcare professionals. “Only through active listening and collaboration can the law be improved and better care guaranteed for all women,” the open letter states.
