As many as 1,500 Irish women were given surgical operations called symphysiotomies without their consent

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Survivors of brutal childbirth operations conducted between 1940 and 1990 in Ireland will receive compensation for their trauma and chronic injuries in a new Irish government payment scheme that began on Monday.

As many as 1,500 Irish women were given surgical operations called symphysiotomies without their consent over the period.

The surgery involves severing one of the main pelvic joints and unhinging the pelvis to allow a baby to be born during obstructed or difficult labour, a substitute for a Caesarian section.

The practice mostly died out in the late 19th century but was revived in Ireland in the 1940s, especially during multiple births, by devout Catholic doctors who believed it helped the birth of more babies.

Many women suffered chronic pain, incontinence and problems with walking.

"Today is a good day for women's rights," Sheila O'Connor, national coordinator of the advocacy group Patient Focus told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The women will receive between 50,000 and 150,000 euros each from the Irish government as part of the redress scheme, announced last July by the Irish department of health.

The Irish government estimates that 350 victims are still living.

A UN Human Rights Committee heard testimony from symphsysiotomy survivors this year and urged the Irish government to investigate the cases.

The victims' organisation, Survivors of Symphysiotomy has criticised the compensation scheme saying it withdraws the women's rights to appeal.

(Editing by Ros Russell)

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