Respectful healthcare for women

Importance of respectful healthcare

Respectful healthcare is important for all people, but it is even more important for women and girls because their bodies can go through so many different challenges, at the different stages of life.

The idea behind respectful care

One of the most important parts of a healthcare worker's job is to provide respectful care to you. This will explain how you should be treated by all healthcare workers at all times.

Lots of important organizations have researched the key ideas in providing respectful healthcare to women and girls. These include the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO).

While these ideas may not be in place everywhere yet, they are the way you, and all women, should be treated every time you need healthcare.

You have the right to emergency, life-saving treatment

Every single woman and girl around the world has a right to life and should get emergency, life-saving treatment when it is needed.

Your faith, race, culture, beliefs or the amount of money you have should not affect the treatment you get.

Decisions about your treatment should be based on the most up-to-date medical information.

You have the right to make decisions about your own health

You have the right to make your own health decisions. Others, including healthcare workers, can provide information and advice, but they must never force you into a choice. Nothing should be done to your body without your agreement, and healthcare workers must always obtain your permission, called consent, before any procedure or treatment.

Consent applies to all situations, including issues such as sexual violence, rape, trafficking, female genital mutilation, or other forms of abuse.

You have the right to receive all important information about your health and available options in a way you can understand, before making any decisions. This ensures you can make informed choices. Doctors may diagnose conditions and recommend treatments, but your decisions must be respected, and you always have the right to say no.

You have the right to make decisions about planning your family

Your right to make decisions about your health and body includes making decisions about the number of children you have and when you have your children.

You should get support and information to help you make the right decision for you.

You should always be spoken to and treated with kindness

You should always be spoken to and treated in a kind and respectful way by healthcare workers. This includes helping you if you are in pain.

No one is allowed to make you feel uncomfortable or say cruel things. No one is allowed to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, be violent towards you or hurt you.

Everyone has the right to equal treatment and freedom from discrimination.

Things about you like your religion, race or social position should not affect the way you are treated.

You have a right to privacy and confidentiality

When you are having an appointment or examination, this should happen in a private space. Healthcare workers should behave in a way that is respectful and keeps your dignity. Healthcare workers should respect your wishes, and your cultural and religious beliefs.

Any information you share with your healthcare worker should be confidential. This means your information should never be shared with anyone except when medically necessary or when you have given your permission.

You have the right to the best possible standard of physical and mental health treatment

This should be given in good time and the environment should be clean and safe. The healthcare workers should be properly trained.

Advances in science and healthcare are made to help everyone and you should benefit from these advances when you receive treatment.

You have a right to freedom and self-determination

No one is allowed to stop you from leaving a healthcare facility and you should be able to leave if you choose, even if you cannot pay for the healthcare that you have had.

Summary

Every woman and girl around the world deserves respectful care. You should always be able to make your own decisions and have control over your body, feel safe and be treated with kindness.