In Slovakia, too, one can find manifestations of obstetric violence and violations of women's reproductive rights. As several NGOs of patients’ and women’s rights have pointed out, this observation stems from a July report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Dubravka Šimonovič. Problematic observations should include various forms of violation of women's rights during childbirth, such as restricting the movement of women in labour and attaching them to bed, pressure on the abdomen, diking without medical reason or sewing birth injuries without anesthesia. On the list are also problems such as violating women's privacy, insulting, humiliation and intimidation carried out by assisting medical staff. In her report, the UN Special Rapporteur recommends the implementation of WHO standards regarding respect for obstetrics care and violence against women.
“According to the law, every patient has the right to a human, ethical and dignified attitude from healthcare workers, protection of dignity, respect for their physical integrity and psychological integrity,” says Radmila Strejčková, a lawyer with the Patients’ rights Protection Association.
The report specifically refers to cases of the violent and illegal sterilization of Roma women from Slovakia. The rights of Roma women are also often violated by their segregation in some maternity wards. According to Strejčková, sterilization can only be performed on the basis of a written request and written informed consent after the person has been instructed in advance and cannot be performed earlier than 30 days after informed consent.
“Since 2004, the Ministry has no information on sterilization without informed consent and no new initiative to investigate the provision of healthcare in connection with sterilization”, says Zuzana Eliášová, a spokeswoman of the Health Ministry. According to her, as part of the Healthy Regions project, the Ministry is carrying out various activities with the aim of improving the situation of health in Roma communities. It also includes improving care for children and mothers in postpartum care.
