The Countess responded to the call by UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem for submissions to her report to the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council on Violence against Mothers.
The Countess submission focused on the harms faced by mothers from economic pressure to work outside the home, the harm caused by violent male partners, and obstetric/reproductive harm including surrogacy. Drawing on legal and social care expertise, our submission expanded on the difficulties faced by mothers who must choose between staying in violent relationships or causing harm to their children.
Structural legal and policy inequalities were addressed, including reparations for survivors of Mother and Baby Homes, compensation for vaginal mesh victims, and the two-tier surrogacy landscape.
The risk of violence to women from certain ethnic groups and disabled women and the barriers against them protecting themselves was also included.
It is always difficult in these reports to narrow the focus and make a submission that fulfils the brief but we are passionate about the work we do on behalf of all women, including mothers. If you would like to support our work, please consider donating what you can.