Africa Summit Program

Day 1 – Thursday, July 30th, 2015 8:00AM – REGISTRATION 9:00AM…

Day 1 – Thursday, July 30th, 2015

8:00AM – REGISTRATION
9:00AM – WELCOME
The panels of Day One will focus on human rights issues of concern to numerous African maternity care systems. Each panel will include speakers coming from around Africa to discuss the problems and solutions relevant to these issues playing out at a local level.

9:30AM – PANEL 1: CHALLENGES
Moderator: Hermine Hayes-Klein, Human Rights in Childbirth

The speakers on this panel will present stories, research, and analysis of human rights violations in maternity care in nations around Southern Africa.  Issues under discussion will include infant mortality and women’s needs around loss, the experiences of HIV+ women and teen mothers, how the conditions in which midwives and doctors work affect their treatment of birthing women, and how pregnancy and childbirth fit into the full picture of women’s social, economic, and reproductive rights.

Malika Ndlovu, Mother and Poet
Prudence Mabele, Positive Women’s Network
Louise Carmody, Amnesty International
Yvonne Cullen, Amnesty International
Susan Bradley, City University London
Ebenezer Durojaye, University of the Western Cape

11:00AM – TEA BREAK
11:30AM – PANEL 2: SOLUTIONS
Moderator: Tanya Parker, Zulu Birth Project

Speakers on this panel will present stories, evidence, and strategies for advancing women’s human rights in pregnancy and birth.  Issues will include the economics of maternity care development, legal advocacy to ensure accountability for women’s rights, community based care and effective transport systems for rural women, and systems for supporting the needs of both women and care providers.

• Nthato Minyuku, Mother and Architect
• Address Malata, International Confederation of Midwives
• Evelyne Opondo, Center for Reproductive Rights
• Karen Clark, Bus Fare Babies Program
• Kenneth Simbaya, Union of Tanzanian Press
• Sally Baker, Post Natal Depression Support Association
• Felicity Ukoko, Well Being Foundation of Africa

1:00PM – LUNCH
2:00PM – ROUND TABLE 1: MEET YOUR COLLEAGUES
Speakers and attendees will have an opportunity to gather in groups of 10-15 colleagues working in a similar field.  Groups will include Lawyers, Providers, Researchers, and Activists.

Group 1: Lawyers and Advocates

Group 2: Healthcare Providers

Group 3: Activists and Policy Makers

Group 4: Scholars and Researchers

3:00PM – TEA BREAK
3:30PM – ROUND TABLE 2: MULTI-DISCIPLINARY DISCUSSION GROUPS

Attendees and speakers will break into small groups to discuss specific human rights violations in light of their legal, clinical, social, and economic implications.  Groups will report back to the Summit on their findings as we identify themes for a consensus statement.

5:00PM – CLOSING

​Day 2 – Friday, July 31st, 2015

Case Studies and Consensus Statement
8:30AM – REGISTRATION
9:00AM – PANEL 1: HUMAN RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICAN MATERNITY CARE
Moderator: Robyn Sheldon, Mama Bamba

This Panel will provide a multi-disciplinary discussion of South African women’s concerns in maternity care in both the public and private sector.

• Tshego Bessenaar, Ibis Reproductive Health
• Jody-Lee Fredericks, Women’s Legal Centre
• Marianne Littlejohn, Midwife
• Raizel Davidow, Webber Wentzel law firm
• Dr. Natalya Dinat, Obstetrician-Gynecologist
• Camilla Pickles, University of Pretoria
• Commissioner Maphazi, South African Commission for Gender Equity
• Zinzile Seepie, Zulu Birth Project

11:30AM – TEA BREAK
12:00PM – PANEL 2: MAKING RIGHTS A REALITY: PERSPECTIVES ON ADVOCACY

Moderator: Hermine Hayes-Klein, Human Rights in Childbirth

This Panel will provide a case study for efforts to make accessible, respectful maternity care a reality for women in Nigeria’s Kwara state.  This multi-disciplinary panel will illuminate the economic issues at stake in Nigerian maternity care as well as illuminate the path to implementation of respectful maternity care through national government, state government, and the policies and practices of doctors, midwives, and nurses.

• Onyema Afulukwe, Center for Reproductive Rights
• Felicity Ukoko, Well Being Foundation of Africa
• Evelyne Opondo, Center for Reproductive Rights
• Dr Aaron Mujajati, Zambia Medical Association

1:00PM – LUNCH
2:00PM – COLLECTIVE DISCUSSION OF THEMES & VISIONS FOR CONSENSUS STATEMENT
3:30PM – TEA BREAK
4:00PM – OUTLINING DRAFT CONSENSUS STATEMENT
5:00PM – CLOSING AND GOODBYE