Congolese women face violence during childbirth in Kinshasa hospitals
via SeneNews4 min read
Numerous women in Kinshasa hospitals, including Sara, report experiencing violence during childbirth, a situation that has drawn the attention of the Congolese President's wife, Denise Tshisekedi. Sara, 31, recounted a traumatic experience two years ago when a doctor attempted to suture an episiotomy without anesthesia. This incident has led her to decide against having more children. The issue of obstetric violence is not openly discussed in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, a predominantly Christian and conservative country. However, a recent viral video showing a naked woman being struck by a doctor in a Kinshasa public hospital delivery room after childbirth sparked widespread outrage. The woman was screaming, and the doctor, unable to keep her still for treatment, resorted to slapping her. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa condemned these "totally inadmissible" acts, and Denise Tshisekedi called for a "rapid, rigorous, and exemplary response." The DRC has a maternal mortality rate of 427 women per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than Europe's 11 deaths per 100,000 live births, a statistic the United Nations deems "worrying," partly due to under-resourced healthcare facilities and a shortage of qualified personnel. The doctor involved in the video was prosecuted and convicted, receiving a two-month suspended prison sentence for assault and battery, and recording the images. He admitted to hitting the patient, claiming she had postpartum hemorrhage and was preven
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Following her announcement to retire from music, Abiba has taken further steps to confirm her career change by deleting all her music videos from online platforms and closing her YouTube channel. For several months, the former artist has been seen publicly wearing a hijab, indicating a more pronounced practice of her Muslim faith. This transformation is part of a personal journey, as she aims to live a life more in line with her religious convictions. By distancing herself from the music industry, Abiba is dedicating herself to her spirituality and adopting a lifestyle consistent with her chosen principles. This decision, widely discussed on social media, marks a new phase in her life, signaling a definitive end to her artistic career and the beginning of a new chapter.
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