Rethinking fairness in birth care

The concept of birth justice emerged in the 1990s, spearheaded by Black feminist activists in the United States. They drew attention to the systemic mistreatment experienced by women and other birthing persons in hospitals. Their fight for reproductive justice highlighted how intersecting forms of oppression affect access to equitable and dignified care.

"In my research at the University of Vienna, I study obstetric violence and examine how it manifests during childbirth in Austrian hospitals," says Elif Gül, PhD candidate at the Vienna Doctoral School for Social Sciences . This violence can range from being denied timely admission to the hospital or from bringing a companion, to experiencing physical or verbal abuse.

Understanding Violence in Care

One of the key questions driving her research is: How does care turn violent? This involves examining not just the individuals who give care, but also the systems and institutions that shape their actions. "My methodology, called praxeography, focuses on the everyday practices within hospital obstetrics to uncover patterns of unjust treatment," Elif Gül explains.
For instance, obstetric violence does not always involve overt acts of harm. Sometimes, it can stem from institutional policies, lack of resources, or implicit biases held by caregivers. By better understanding these dynamics, her project aims to offer actionable recommendations for improving birth care practices in Austria and beyond. 

"Research is messy, unpredictable, and always evolving – much like birth itself. My typical day is a mix of teaching, conducting participant observations, interviewing birthing persons and hospital staff, analysing data, and preparing conference presentations," says Elif Gül. As a PhD candidate, she is a researcher, student and teacher at the same time: "Despite the challenges, I feel privileged to call this my job." 

Why Birth Justice Matters

After completing her master’s thesis, she was eager to combine activism and academia to work toward a more just society – and so she decided to do a PhD in gender studies and to focus on the very beginning of life: childbirth. 

"Whether we have given birth or not, we are all affected by the care practices surrounding childbirth. After all, every single one of us was born and received care during that pivotal moment," Elif Gül says. How we treat birthing persons reflects the values of our society and impacts generations to come. (red)