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Behind the Scenes of "A Living Hell: Kenyan Women Report Physical Assault During Childbirth"
Women across the world, especially in minority communities and developing nations, are at a heightened risk of experiencing life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Even a renowned athlete like Serena Williams revealed she almost died while giving birth to her daughter after suffering from a pulmonary embolism and a hematoma, while singer BeyoncĂ© shared that her childrenâs  births were potentially life threatening for her.
Sub-Saharan Africans suffer from the highest maternal mortality ratio â 533 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, or 200,000 maternal deaths – a year, according to UNICEF.
But Tabitha Gatetiâs story, which you are about to read, is one that will surely leave you startled. If youâre a woman, youâd have to read this sitting down so you can catch your breath, not to say that men will not be as shocked.
As a mother, this is a story that left me teary-eyed. This is definitely not the first time I am working on a story about maternal health but Gatetiâs story is tragically sad and depressing, to say the least. Losing your child once is hard enough. I cannot imagine the pain of having to endure this loss multiple times. As I edited the story, I held myself back from breaking down.
I am aware this is a familiar story for most women across the continent in some hospitals, not just in Kenya but also in Nigeria where instead of receiving support during labour they get beatings. Women have also had to complain of the same treatment meted out to them by healthcare providers and caregivers.Â
Gatetiâs story is one that is underreported and never makes it to mainstream media but, with your support, we can tell more of these stories as it affects women across the world.
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The underprivileged are often more exposed to pollution either from the lack of policies that protect them from it or from actions by government authorities which increase their vulnerability to it.
âI not only understand the circumstances that lead people to move abroad, but I also share their experiences, know the problems and processes they went through to come here, and because immigrants tend to build networks to provide help for each other,â Landivar notes.
“we have to constantly demonstrate our value and are questioned for pointing out the attacks and misogynistic coverage that has been carried out for decades without any of these renowned men of power mentioning it.”
“I tried to bargain with the policemen, but they demanded N500,000 ($770) or nothing. Next, they drove me to my bank branch beside Sheraton Hotel and told me to go and withdraw the money for them.â
My oxygen is dipping. I have blacked out. When I wake up, the nurse is telling me I should lose weight. Am I going to survive? I must be. No one tells a dying person to lose weight, do they?
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