Abstract

Objective To describe the experience of women who have suffered obstetric and gynecological violence in Chile. Methods Using a qualitative methodology, this study involved the participation of 34 women aged between 18 and 60 years who have experienced some form of violence (obstetric or gynecological violence) in Chile. In-depth interviews were conducted, and subsequently, the analysis was carried out following the procedures of thematic analysis. Results Obstetric violence is a process that marks medical power relations at different levels, from the procedural to the treatment of the women themselves, provoking diverse emotional and psychological states that are associated as negative and traumatic. Discussion Obstetric and gynecological violence is a dimension of gender-based violence as far as it represents how women have been instrumentalized in medical procedures and care. It is evident that there is a need to go deeper into medical power relations and gynecological-obstetric practices in order to generate policies that protect women's reproductive and sexual rights.