WHAT IS BIRTH
JUSTICE?

 

 

WHEN I HEAR BIRTH JUSTICE, I THINK OF ADVOCACY, SELF-ADVOCACY. I THINK OF SAFETY. I THINK OF GENTLENESS, BEING TREATED WITH CARE, TRUE CARE, AND CONCERN. THAT’S BIRTH JUSTICE—TREATING BIRTHING PEOPLE WITH GENTLENESS AND HELPING THEM TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES IN SPACES THAT DON’T PROVIDE THAT.

– Michele

Birth Justice is a movement that believes when birthing people recognize their innate power to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families during all stages of the pregnancy, birth, and the post-birth period, that power will have a transformational impact on their family and community.

Voices, Voices for Birth Justice, VBJ, Birthing Rights, Birth Justice, preterm birth, preemie, premature birth, Doula, breastfeeding, PTBi, Preterm Birth Initiative, Oakland, Bay Area, San Francisco, Fresno, Birthworkers, birth worker, advocate, parents, mothers,

ALL BIRTHS SHOULD BE JUST BIRTHS.

The long history of trauma and reproductive oppression that Black communities and other underserved groups have experienced is the constant force that drives and shapes the Birth Justice movement. To challenge systems of oppression, such as racism and sexism in reproductive care, Birth Justice advocates for culturally-appropriate, person-centered care while challenging disrespectful care. It also supports the sharing of knowledge amongst communities and improves access to breastfeeding support and traditional birth-workers, such as midwives and doulas.

This definition is inspired by the work of Black Women’s Birth Justice, Southern Birth Justice and SisterSong.

 

 

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EXAM ROOM OR WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BIRTH SUITE, BUT ALSO, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ACTUALLY CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR THESE FAMILIES TO THRIVE….IT’S ALSO ABOUT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO RAISE THEIR KIDS, BE FREE FROM STATE AND POLICE VIOLENCE, AND NOT LIVE IN POVERTY.

– Ana

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

Birth Justice is a component of the reproductive justice framework. In 1994, a dozen Black women met at pro-choice confence in Chicago and constructed the concept of reproductive justice. Led by visionaries, such as Loretta J. Ross, Lynn Roberts, Erika Derkas, Whitney Peoples, and Pamela Bridgewater, reproductive justice was a direct response to the intersectional systems of power and oppression that often prevented the attainment of full health.
Learn More

Read more about Birth Justice:
What is birth Justice? – Black Women’s Birthing Justice

Birth Justice – Evidence Based Birth

Birth Justice Fund – Groundswell Fund

Birth Justice Care Fund – SisterSong

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