The denial of obstetric violence by Regional Medical Councils: terms, data, and setbacks

Abstract

This article critically analyzes the institutional positions of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the Regional Councils of Medicine (CRMs) regarding the term “obstetric violence,” from the perspective of bioethics and human rights. The documentary research, conducted in July 2025, examined technical notes, opinions, resolutions, social media posts, and press reports, focusing on the use of the term in the councils’ official channels. The findings reveal a shift in the CFM’s stance: after admitting the debate in 2015, the council began rejecting the term in 2019, claiming it disrupts the doctor-patient relationship and stigmatizes medical procedures. This position has been reiterated by councils such as CREMEGO and CREMERS, while isolated cases, like that of CRM-MS, show some acknowledgment of the issue. The analysis concludes that there is a predominant trend of denialist discourse among medical entities, which hinders the development of public policies and the enforcement of women's sexual and reproductive rights. The study underscores the need to reaffirm the principles of UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, with an emphasis on human dignity, gender equality, and institutional responsibility.