Birth Justice Bill of Rights
Developed by the Southern Birth Justice Network, the Birth Justice Bill of Rights is a resource designed to help people understand their rights and stand up for the respectful care they are entitled to. Birth justice recognizes that Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrant people, LGBTQIA+ people, and disabled people all have lived histories of trauma and systemic oppression around reproductive health decision making and autonomy.
As Black pre-conception, pregnant, birthing or postpartum persons, the Birth Justice Bill of Rights points that each person has the right to:
1. Stand against racism
2. Know my history and resist institutional racism
3. Honor my values
4. Express my culture
5. Develop a network of safety and support
6. Represent my Blackness
7. Care for all my identities
8. Protection from violence
9.Understand my health
10. Respect my family structure
11. Comprehensive care after I give birth
12. Support from my doula
13. Access to everything I need to be healthy
14. Support in reducing stress
15. Inclusion in the decisions that affect me
16. Ensure access to all birth care options
17. Honor the natural birth process
18. Support my baby’s right to human milk
19. Get a second opinion
20. Advocate for my rights
21. Time to heal and bond
22. Recognize that my body is always mine