Welcome and Keynote: The Role of Doulas in Advancing Birth Justice
Birth justice is a movement led by Black women and people of color that seeks to recognize systemic inequalities and empower people in communities in the pregnancy and birthing process. In 2023, Elephant Circle conducted a landscape analysis of birth justice in the US using mixed methods. A quarter of survey respondents identified as Doulas. This presentation examines the results of the analysis related to Doulas including their demographic characteristics, experiences of discrimination, involvement in networks, services provided, extent of community organizing work and advocacy activities, sustainability, and compensation. We will present insights on how to best support Doulas to provide Birth Justice services and avoid burnout and moral injury. Finally, we will reveal our interactive tool for advocacy and education about birth justice. The presentation will shed light on how to integrate, uplift, and replicate birth justice values and practices to improve equity in the care provided by Doulas.
This session is sponsored by:
Indra Lucero
ESQ
Indra is a birth justice attorney who loves to tackle new territory, dive-in to cutting-edge issues and ideas, and navigate periods of change and uncertainty. Indra is the founder of Elephant Circle and the Birth Rights Bar Association, and served as Staff Attorney at National Advocates for Pregnant Women. Indra practices a multidisciplinary approach including legal advocacy, community-based lobbying and rulemaking, community organizing, arts and education. Indra regularly speaks about birth justice, informed consent, and policy approaches to substance use and pregnancy. Indra received a J.D. from the University of Denver. Indra conceptualized and lead the Birth Justice Landscape Analysis, including convening the team of diverse researchers.
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