Kenyan women facing abuse during childbirth now have a lifeline, thanks to the launch of a toll-free call centre by the Gamafrica Foundation.
The initiative, unveiled at the Kenya Women and Children's Wellness Centre in Roysambu, Nairobi, aims to address obstetric violence (OBV), which includes mistreatment during labour, childbirth, and postnatal care. Women can report incidents by calling 0111055181.
The call centre will also connect victims with healthcare providers, legal counsel, and psychological support while gathering data to inform maternal health policies.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who is also the founder, and a key advocate of the initiative, emphasized the urgency of addressing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Kenya.
“While countries like Uganda and Rwanda have reduced maternal deaths, Kenya’s numbers are rising. Women die in childbirth because of systemic failures. Hospitals must be held accountable, and Parliament must pass the Obstetric Violence Bill to ensure dignity for all mothers,” she said.
Wamuchomba also highlighted shocking cases of neglect and abuse in Kenyan hospitals, including overcrowding and detention of mothers unable to pay medical bills.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba during the launch of the maternity care call centre in Roysambu, Nairobi, on Thursday, November 28, 2024.PHOTO: HANDOUT
She called on the government to reinstate programs like Linda Mama, which provided free maternal care, and to improve healthcare infrastructure.
Wamuchomba emphasized the importance of holding healthcare
facilities accountable.
“We must ensure that hospitals report every maternal or
neonatal death. When a woman or child dies during childbirth, there must be
full transparency and accountability. This will not only provide justice for
the families but also improve our healthcare system by identifying systemic
failures,” she said
She also called on Parliament to prioritize the Obstetric
Violence Bill, which seeks to ensure that no woman faces abuse or neglect in
healthcare settings.
“This is a matter of life and death. We need this bill passed before Christmas to protect Kenyan mothers,” she said.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris praised the initiative as a crucial step in tackling OBV but also pointed out systemic challenges.
“This call centre is a game-changer. By documenting cases, we can identify trends and advocate for targeted solutions. However, we must address the lack of resources in public hospitals, where women are forced to share beds and nurses are overwhelmed,” she said.
Passaris also called for better mental health support for both patients and healthcare providers.
“Many women face postpartum depression without adequate help, and healthcare workers are stretched beyond their limits. We need holistic care for all involved,” she added.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi called for increased funding to address gender-based violence. She urged the president to allocate Sh1 billion shillings to establish special courts for gender violence cases.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Survivors cannot wait years for their cases to be heard. So as we do 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we are praying and requesting our president, he has come out as a President that he wants to deal with femicide, and we are saying he has given us 100 million, but we are saying the judiciary needs 1 billion at least to first start special calls for gender Based Violence,” she said
The event also coincided with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, amplifying the call for action.
During the launch, it was revealed that 80% of Kenyan women have experienced OBV, according to a survey by Gamafrica Foundation.
“This initiative is about dignity and respect for women. Every woman deserves to give birth in a safe environment without fear of abuse. We owe it to Kenyan mothers to do better.” said Wamuchomba
A gynecologic oncologist and obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr. Benjamin Odongo Elly, representing the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (KOGS), emphasized the urgent need for action against obstetric violence (OBV).
He said that OBV, which affects women during labour, delivery, and postnatal care, has far-reaching consequences, including postpartum depression, perineal tears, obstetric fistulas, and neonatal complications like cerebral palsy.
“OBV not only impacts women immediately but also contributes to long-term health challenges,” said Dr Odongo.
He highlighted that postpartum depression rates are rising, partly due to poor care during childbirth.
Dr. Odongo called for improved infrastructure, better allocation of human resources, and an adequate supply of essential medical items like gloves and pharmaceuticals.
“Women should not have to share beds or deliver in
undignified environments,” he stressed.
He also pointed to the uneven distribution of gynaecologists across Kenya as a significant barrier.
“Many specialists are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural regions underserved. This imbalance needs urgent correction,” he noted.
Representatives from the Kenya Women's Parliamentary Association, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, and other advocacy groups pledged their support for the initiative.
The call centre is expected to be a cornerstone in the fight against OBV, offering women a platform to report cases and access timely interventions.
