Courage Against the Odds: Natasa’s Fight for Safe Motherhood

15-year-old Natasa (pseudonym), a young Roma girl, is one of millions of people forced to flee Ukraine because of the devastating war - causing the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since WWII. Seeking safety and shelter in Hungary with her mother, Natasa instead encountered a different kind of struggle: systemic neglect, discrimination, and institutional violence.

Shortly after arriving, Natasa discovered she was pregnant. It was her second pregnancy — her first had ended in miscarriage. She and her mother, living in precarious conditions under a government rent subsidy program, were referred to EMMA — a maternal health and rights advocacy organization — by a housing service provider. During their first meeting, EMMA provided Natasa with non-judgmental counselling on her options, including both continuing the pregnancy and abortion care. EMMA also arranged for a pregnancy test at a public health center.

But instead of compassionate care, Natasa was met with suspicion and coercion. A doctor insisted on a vaginal ultrasound despite her fears that it might cause another miscarriage. The doctor then openly disapproved of her decision to continue the pregnancy, making Natasa unwilling to return.

EMMA immediately referred her to a trauma-informed gynaecological clinic, where she finally received respectful and supportive prenatal care. For a time, things were going well. Natasa attended regular check-ups, engaged in childbirth preparation, and received psychosocial support. But the sense of safety she had begun to regain was once again shattered when her landlord evicted her due to her pregnancy, and her partner became abusive. With intervention from a specialist in domestic violence, Natasa’s home environment became once more stable.

At 35 weeks of pregnancy, Natasa was hospitalized due to a suspected rupture of the amniotic sac. Once again, her voice and autonomy were ignored. Her refusal of a vaginal examination was ignored, and she was treated disrespectfully, leading her to leave the hospital against medical advice. A private physician later confirmed there was no rupture and advised a follow-up.

When she returned to the hospital, the abuse escalated. Doctors attempted another vaginal exam without her consent, prevented her from contacting her mother, and conducted the procedure without the presence of a legal guardian. As a result, her cervix was damaged and she began to bleed. She was urgently transferred to another hospital. There, finally, she was treated with the dignity and care she deserved and safely gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

What Natasa endured is gynecological and obstetric violence — a violation of human rights rooted in racism, sexism, and ageism.

Following the birth, Natasa and her mother received daily emotional support from EMMA. Legal aid was arranged, and she was connected with professionals to explore justice and accountability to reclaim her voice. Two months on from the delivery, Natasa and her daughter are doing well. Natasa has received evidence-based contraceptive care counselling and made an informed choice to have an IUD inserted.

Natasa’s story is not unique, but it is urgent. The fact that Natasa repeatedly faced a lack of compassion and even violence from medical staff speaks volumes about how widespread the problem truly is. Underage refugee women, particularly from marginalized groups like the Roma community, face intersecting forms of violence when accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. Their safety, dignity, and rights must be non-negotiable.

Due to the work of organisations such as EMMA everyone, regardless of their background, age, legal status, or financial means, can receive respectful care that prioritizes their well-being and autonomy.