Respectful maternity care refers to care organized for and provided to all women in a manner that maintains their dignity, privacy and confidentiality, ensures freedom from harm and mistreatment, and enables informed choice and continuous support during labour and childbirth (WHO, 2018).

Aim: The aim of present study was to assess the awareness of the components of respectful maternity care among nurse-midwives working in maternity units.

Method: A descriptive survey design was adopted in the present study. Self-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic data and the components of respectful maternity care by WRAI was used to assess the awareness regarding the components of RMC among nurse-midwives working in maternity units of a selected health facility.

Results: The participants were female registered nurse-midwives working in maternity units with majority, 45% in the age group of 31 to 40 years. The findings of the study demonstrated that nurse-midwives were aware of most of the components of RMC like right to freedom from harm and ill treatment, information and informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, dignity and respect, equitable care but less aware of certain rights like right to birth companion and preference, freedom from arbitrary detention, right of the newborn to be with the parent/guardian, right of the newborn to nationality and identity from birth, adequate nutrition and clean water and grievance redressal. Frequent in-service training of nurse-midwives is recommended to increase the awareness of the components of respectful maternity care.

Conclusion: Respectful maternity care is the universal rights of women and newborns. The study shows the awareness of certain rights/components of RMC among nurse-midwives. Frequent in-service training of nurse-midwives is recommended to increase the awareness of the components of respectful maternity care.