THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Obstetric violence remains a global barrier to safe and respectful maternal care. While midwifery models grounded in Humanization and Salutogenesis offer powerful alternatives, transforming deeply rooted norms requires experiential tools that foster reflection, empathy, and behavioral change. Role-playing and immersive learning spaces are effective strategies that enable care providers to explore complex relational dynamics and develop skills for person-centered care. By the end of the workshop, participants will: 1. Identify behaviors that constitute obstetric violence. 2. Demonstrate communication and consent techniques aligned with respectful care. 3. Reflect critically on their practice to foster empathetic, rights-based midwifery.

THE PROCESS/ACTIVITIES:
This 90-minute workshop begins with a 10-minute theoretical overview. The core activity is role-playing using real clinical scenarios. Participants rotate between roles, experiencing power dynamics, informed consent, and respectful communication. Group debriefs follow each scenario, enabling collective reflection. All materials will be freely available via the International Platform on Obstetric Violence – Respectful Care (https://respectfulcare.eu).

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Participants are actively involved throughout acting, observing, debriefing, and contributing reflections. The setup requires movable chairs and a small open space to enact scenarios. This replicable workshop provides an interactive and impactful professional development tool. By reinforcing midwifery principles of autonomy, dignity, and Salutogenesis, and making resources accessible globally, the session supports the global effort to eradicate obstetric violence and promote respectful maternity care. Additional reading World Health Organization. WHO Recommendations on Antenatal Care for a Positive Pregnancy Experience. World Health Organization; 2016. Accessed May 31, 2026. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/250796/1/9789241549912-eng.pdf Davis-Floyd R, Premkumar A. Obstetric Violence and Systemic Disparities: Can Obstetrics Be Humanized and Decolonized? Berghahn Books; 2023. ISBN 9781800738362. Schmid V. Salute e nascita: la salutogenesi in gravidanza. Urra/Apogeo; 2007. ISBN 9788850325764. García-Soriano F, Faret Moreno F, González Cohens D. Juegos de rol para el trabajo en equipo: pilotaje de una metodología de desarrollo de habilidades socioemocionales. J Roleplaying Stud STEAM. 2023;2(1):Article 3. Accessed May 31, 2026. https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/jrpssteam/vol2/iss1/3