Respectful maternity care is an essential component of quality maternal healthcare. It promotes the dignity, privacy, autonomy, and rights of women during pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Midwives play a central role in providing respectful care, but their practices may be influenced by professional knowledge, clinical experience, workload, staffing levels, available resources, and the organization of health services. This article examines factors that may be associated with the provision of respectful maternity care by midwives in selected health facilities in Rwanda. It highlights the importance of professional training, effective communication, informed consent, privacy, non-discrimination, and supportive working environments. The article is intended to support midwifery students, practicing midwives, healthcare managers, and researchers interested in improving maternal healthcare quality.
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
— Habakkuk 2:14