In the period from November 25 to December 10, 2023, the University of Belgrade held a discussion: From obstetric violence to dignified childbirth: research and experiences and training on reaction mechanisms in case of sexual harassment at work intended for University employees. in Belgrade. These activities marked the global campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”.

Training was held on reaction mechanisms in case of sexual harassment at work, intended for IFST University of Belgrade employees. The training was carried out by Jelena Ćeriman, PhD, an employee of IFST Unyversity of Belgrade. The training of equality commissioners appointed at UNBG was held in the UNBG Rector’s Hall.

The discussion From obstetric violence to dignified childbirth: research and experience was held at the Institute of Philosophy and Social Theory of the University of Belgrade, and the participants were: creators of the “Mama Sutra” series, Mina Šarenac and Ana Petrović, psychologist prof. Biljana Stanković, PhD, (UNIBG, Faculty of Philosophy) and medical anthropologist Ljiljana Pantović, PhD, (IFST). A recording of the held round table is available HERE.

Lack of informed consent, threats to privacy, inadequate information and insufficient support, as well as the complete absence of active involvement of women during childbirth are key problems in maternity hospitals in Serbia. Although the problems in maternity hospitals were known, there was an unwritten rule that women should not talk about them in public. This situation has changed drastically in recent years and women are speaking louder and more often about their negative and traumatic experiences and advocating for change.