While you may understand RMC and be convinced of the importance of reflecting RMC throughout maternal and newborn health (MNH) care and programs, colleagues, policy-makers, program managers, clinicians, and other groups and institutions may need to be convinced of the centrality of RMC to MNH. While documents and tools in the Program Learning, Training Materials, and Resource List sections may be useful in advocacy efforts, this section provides some tools that may be helpful in persuading or influencing others who may not have a clear understanding of RMC and its importance.

PowerPoint presentations in this section include:

• PowerPoint – RMC: General Concepts and Considerations: This PowerPoint presentation defines the content of RMC, lists some examples of disrespect and abuse as well as the “rights” involved, and provides guidance on the promotion of RMC.
• PowerPoint – Overview of the Medicalization of MNH Care (also included in the Learning Materials section): While medicalization is only one aspect of RMC, the failure to regard the well-being of the woman and newborn by imposing unnecessary or harmful practices can be considered to be abusive and disrespectful. This  presentation describes some examples of medicalized care within MNH and provides scientific evidence that may be compelling for individuals involved in MNH care and programming.
• PowerPoint - Addressing Respectful Maternity Care (also included in the Learning Materials section): Reducing the Medicalization of Maternal and Newborn Care: While medicalization of childbirth is only one aspect of RMC, the failure to regard the well-being of the woman and newborn by imposing unnecessary, routine or even harmful practices can be considered to be abusive and disrespectful. This PowerPoint presentation describes some examples of how to reduce medicalized childbirth care and provides examples of evidence-based interventions that may be compelling for individuals involved in MNH care and programming.

Another useful advocacy tool is A Guide for Advocating for Respectful Maternity Care: Developed by the White Ribbon Alliance, this comprehensive resource offers valuable information, tools, and techniques for nation-level advocates of RMC.