Tegucigalpa, July 8, 2026 (PAHO/WHO). Ensuring that every woman receives dignified, respectful, and violence-free care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period requires far more than isolated interventions. It calls for strengthening capacities, updating knowledge, transforming institutional practices, and fostering a culture of care that is people-centered and grounded in human rights..
With this objective, the Ministry of Health (SESAL) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) organized a webinar on obstetric violence for healthcare professionals involved in maternal care.
The event brought together nearly 200 obstetricians and gynecologists, general practitioners, social service physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants, who explored concepts, approaches, and practices aimed at preventing mistreatment and abuse during obstetric care. The session was led by Dr. Amalia Amaya, International Advisor in the Department of Health Systems and Services at PAHO.
The webinar is part of the Human Resources Development Directorate's Training Plan of the Ministry of Health, an initiative designed to continuously strengthen the competencies of healthcare personnel in strategic areas of the health system. As part of this effort, PAHO contributes by providing experts and specialized technical assistance across various priority areas, promoting the adoption of best practices, scientific evidence, and quality-of-care approaches within health services.
Beyond a one-time training activity, this initiative is part of a broader, systems-based vision to improve the quality of maternal care in Honduras. Preventing obstetric violence requires strengthening the capacities of healthcare workers, promoting organizational change, advancing a rights-based approach to care, and fostering environments that guarantee respect, dignity, and women’s autonomy throughout the reproductive journey.
These efforts are made possible through the alignment of multiple initiatives supported by PAHO in the country, including projects funded by MSD for Mothers, the Government of Canada, and the Honduras Humanitarian Fund, all of which share the goal of strengthening health services and expanding access to safer, more humanized, and people-centered care. Through these projects, a comprehensive agenda for institutional strengthening is advanced, encompassing training, technical assistance, quality improvement, and capacity-building at different levels of the health system.
For PAHO, advancing the elimination of obstetric violence is a fundamental component of efforts to improve maternal health and ensure the fulfillment of women’s rights. The ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Health reflects a strategic commitment to sustainably transforming health services by strengthening human resources as a key driver of change and contributing to increasingly respectful, equitable, and high-quality care for the people of Honduras.
