OBSTETRIC VIOLENCE AND MATERNAL MORTALITY AMONG BLACK WOMEN

Abstract

This study focused on the analysis of obstetric violence in Brazil, understood as a structural manifestation of the historical inequalities of gender, race, and social class. It aimed to understand how institutional racism and the authoritarian biomedical model more intensely affect Black women during the pregnancy and postpartum cycle. The research was developed through a qualitative bibliographic review, based on academic studies and institutional reports addressing the issue from the perspectives of public health, human rights, and racial equity. The theoretical analysis revealed that obstetric violence goes beyond individual actions by health professionals, constituting an institutionalized practice that normalizes women’s pain and suffering, especially that of Black women, historically marginalized by structural racism. It was also found that the lack of effective public policies and antiracist training for health professionals contributes to the perpetuation of discriminatory and dehumanized practices in obstetric care. As a result, maternal mortality among Black women was found to be significantly higher, highlighting the urgency of intersectoral policies that integrate race, gender, and social class in public health strategies. It is concluded that tackling obstetric violence requires an intersectional and transformative approach centered on childbirth humanization, ethical and antiracist professional training, and the consolidation of institutional practices that ensure women’s right to safe, dignified, and respectful motherhood.