About us
Birthrights champions respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth by protecting human rights. We provide advice and information on your legal rights, train doctors and midwives, and campaign to change maternity policy and systems.
Our Vision
Our vision is of a world where women and birthing people can access safe maternity care that fully respects their right to bodily autonomy and self-agency, free from discrimination, coercion and violence.
Our Mission
To become the authority on human rights in pregnancy and childbirth in the UK and use that influence to improve services and practice throughout the maternity system.
Our rights-based approach
Birthrights promotes your right to receive evidence-based care that conforms to the best medical and midwifery standards. We do not promote any particular clinical perspectives in maternity care.
These rights are set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and subsequent United Nations conventions and declarations, and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
The information on our website is factually correct at the time of writing.
Our Values
Dignity
You matter. Your experience of pregnancy and childbirth matters.
Expertise
Our authority comes from unrivalled understanding of the legal issues in maternity care and insight into your emotional needs at one of the most critical times of your life.
Autonomy
We believe the maternity system doesn’t work without you, the women or birthing person, at its heart.
Practicality
We understand how the system works. We want to evolve attitudes and services using innovative and tangible tools and ideas.
Humanity
Safe, quality, lawful care recognises that you deserve to be treated as an individuals. We listen to you and engage with compassion.
Inclusion
Human rights are for everyone. We want to be a safe space and champion for anyone who needs us, particularly those who face the most discrimination and disadvantage in maternity care.
Who we are
Our Strategy
Our Impact
Reports
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