Spotlight Interview with Dr. Marta Rondón

“When you talk to women about prioritizing their own wellbeing, it’s always the response of “What are you talking about?” They are always confused because we are not raised to think about our own wellbeing. The most important byproduct of therapeutic abortion is that we present to women the idea that their wellbeing is important.” –Dr. Rondón

Location: Lima, Peru

Bio: Dr. Marta Rondón is an Associate Professor and Psychiatrist at UPCH, and former President of the International Association for Women’s Mental Health. She has conducted extensive research on the determinants of perinatal mental health and improving access to primary care management of common psychiatric disorders in pregnancy. Dr. Rondón works at the National Institute for Maternal and Perinatal Health, the biggest maternity hospital in the country. Dr. Rondón works in consultation liaison psychiatry and leads a project that enhances access to therapeutic abortion for women affected by intimate partner violence.

How did you begin your career in women’s mental health? 

“When I had to do my psychiatry rotation, I found it was extremely easy and rewarding and comfortable talking to people, finding out about their thoughts and stories and worries. I naturally connected with people. I thought this is where I belong. I was acutely aware of the submissive position we are in as women in this field. So I was drawn into the women’s mental health field. In the year ‘97 I was invited to join the Women's Section in the World Psychiatric Association. I went to the hospital to talk to the male director at the time and told him what I wanted to do with maternal mental health. He looked at me confused and said, “Women are at their happiest when they come here to give birth to their baby. I don’t really think we need a psychiatrist.” I kept on courting the gynecologists and finally they had a position for me, and this took about 20 years.”

Did you always know you wanted to pursue medicine?

“No, when I was very little I wanted to be a miner like my father. At that time, he explained to me that women were not welcome in mining so I let go of that. And then I wanted to be a ballerina but I did not have the coordination for that. And then I wanted to become a doctor.”

What is your favorite part of your job? 

“My therapeutic abortion project. I feel like in Peru and other parts of South America there is this need to recognize the right of women’s wellbeing and autonomy of their own body. There is this need to improve the implementation of therapeutic abortion because there is international pressure on the government. For a long time we denied the right to therapeutic abortion and the Ministry was taken to court and lost and now is the time for them to improve that. We have been able to slowly but surely increase the number of women who can have therapeutic abortion. And in the process, I have to tell women why we are doing this because of the stigma surrounding abortion and who have been told that abortion is a crime. We represent the state, at the institute we would not do something against the law. Why are we doing this? Well we want women to be interested in their own wellbeing and prioritize it. When you talk to women about prioritizing their own wellbeing, it’s like “what are you talking about?” They are always confused because we are not raised to think about our own wellbeing. The most important byproduct of this therapeutic abortion  is that we present to women the idea that their wellbeing is important.”

What does therapeutic abortion look like?

“Say we have a woman who is pregnant as a result of sexual violence. A gynecologist at the Institute would examine her. In her case, since she is under 22 weeks of pregnancy, she is entitled to therapeutic abortion to protect her mental health. She gets a patient history and we look for risk factors for possible postnatal depression. No matter how sloppily a doctor can look, the risk factors are for sure there because women always come from difficult situations. Anyone can experience sexual violence unfortunately, however, there are those who are way more likely to experience it due to the risk factors they are exposed to earlier on. “

How has the pandemic affected your work?

“Aside from all the shut downs that I’m sure you have heard about, the most absurd result from the lockdown that I think needs to be shared is the fact that the number of deliveries in children under the age of 12 years old has multiplied by 3. Forget about the story about ‘don’t let your child outside of the house because it is dangerous out there.’ No, it’s dangerous inside.”

Can you discuss the stigma centered on mental health in your country?

“In South America, we generally come from a traditional Christian background. And the bible says women are impure, and you read about these stories as a child. We also see this lesson of glorification of virginity, like Mary in the Bible, and at the same time the glorification of motherhood. So you can only live your sexuality for reproductive purposes. In Peru, Mother’s Day is commercially a bigger day than Christmas. If you are sexually active, but not for reproductive purposes, you are a “bitch.” So we really have this polarization of women. One of the myths says that people identified with mental illnesses come from incest. It is a punishment for something bad that came from their family. You learn from an early age that you must cross the street when you see the “madman.” From a medical standpoint, all of our asylums are placed in weird locations such as basements or warehouses. You have to remember that the strongest form of stigma is internalized stigma: what you believe about yourself.”

What has been the best part of working with the Global Program at BUMC? Have there been any specific projects that have stood out to you?

“It’s been a great experience. I get to meet so many people from different backgrounds and with different experiences. That enriches you no matter what. I have been collaborating with Dr. Levey (T32 alumna) on this tremendous program on interventions with vulnerable teenage mothers to improve emotional regulation in both the mothers and babies. Just the different opportunities given to us and to be a part of the team and forming relationships to further collaborate is just a gift.”

Any advice to youth who are interested in pursuing a career in this field? 

“For people interested in going into women’s mental health, I think it is a field of the future. The perinatal period is a sensitive period where intervention may result in primary prevention in mental health. Being there at a time where so much is going on in your brain about this future being and it can be helped by acting through the mother and also with the newborn at the time. If you protect the mother, you are not only going to enhance the mother’s wellbeing but you will also prevent a lot of damage to the newborn for the rest of his/her life. It is crucial to protect the mental health of a woman so that she can exercise her own rights. The field of women’s mental health comes down to protecting rights.”

If you could ask for one wish and it would be granted, what would it be? 

“I would like to live by the ocean and be able to swim at least one mile in the open sea.”

What is one lesson in your life that you would like to share? 

“Be yourself. No matter what. Don't be stubborn, but don't yield. Hold onto what you believe in, in the end it pays off.” 

Closing Thoughts

“Just thinking about the effects of the pandemic, it is difficult now to see how anything good can come out of the pain and devastation. It is really important to show solidarity and to be able to inconvenience yourself in order to make the environment safer for everybody. So please wear a mask, social distance, and please get a vaccine! It is difficult; it is a bore. We wish it was different, but it is worth it. Stay safe and keep others safe.” 

By Joanne Won, November 2021