For centuries, pregnancy and childbirth were among the world’s greatest dangers. Over the past 25 years, however, major advances in healthcare have helped reduce maternal deaths by 40 per cent. That progress is now under threat, however. Unprecedented international cuts in aid, combined with the highest levels of conflict seen in a generation, are reversing years of hard-won gains. In this powerful new documentary, called “Hard Labour”, Bel Trew travels to some of the world’s most dangerous places for pregnancy and childbirth, meeting mothers, babies and frontline healthcare workers as they confront the devastating consequences of conflict, poverty and collapsing healthcare systems.
On Tuesday 15 September 2026, a screening and panel discussion of this powerful new documentary took place at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, UK. The film was directed and produced by The Independent newspaper’s Chief International Correspondent, Bel Trew, and follows on from previous documentaries by her, including ‘Hunted’ and ‘Death Sentence’. You can watch the film online here: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/aid-cuts-birth-mortality-rates-documentary-b3024679.html
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SHOW THE FILM YOURSELF.