UWCScholar :: Browsing by Author "Gormley, Stephanie"

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South African Policy analysis on respectful maternal care
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Gormley, Stephanie
Every woman has the right to receive respectful maternal care (RMC), which includes high quality of care that is dignified, respectful and free of violence and discrimination. Addressing disrespectful maternal care requires interventions at multiple levels including policy. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which current policy addresses RMC in South Africa, and identify any potential gaps therein. The study was conducted through a desk-based review of policy documents, accessed through internet search engines, academic portals, and requests from governmental and other public healthcare agencies. Each policy document was assessed for relevance to the study and then analysed using a framework of analysis. The key policy documents related to maternal care in South Africa, in varying levels of detail, address the rights related to providing RMC. While there are some gaps in the policy, all rights related to RMC are addressed to some extent across the range of policy documents reviewed. This however has not deterred violation of these rights. This thesis discusses the disparity between what policy says and what appears to be implemented, it highlights some of the potential gaps in South African policy on offering RMC and some of the perceived strengths of South African policy related to RMC.