Minister Paulette Lenert confirmed the meeting would take place in response to a parliamentary question posed by déi Lénk MP Nathalie Oberweis.
Oberweis wished to know if there was a clear definition in Luxembourg for obstetric violence. She added that the World Health Organization has published scientific references on the topic of violence in the labour and delivery room, and said that establishing a definition in Luxembourg depends on political will.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that their scientific council will soon begin work on its initial recommendations. Otherwise, the response was somewhat evasive on the topic.
Oberweis also queried whether the Ministry of Health was planning to commission national surveys based on testimonies from women who had been affected by the topic. Lenert responded that this would form part of the discussions at the end of September.
Obstetric violence, or violence during childbirth, is understood to cover medical interventions that are carried out without the consent of the woman giving birth. It also refers to mistreatment, neglect, physical or psychological abuse, as well as a lack of respect for the mother.
