Standing Strong for a Woman's Right to a Just and Healthy Life

From April 23 to April 27, 2012, the 45th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) met at the United Nations in New York City. The CPD is an annual week-long meeting at the UN where advocates and members states gather to create a resolution document that upholds the Programme of Action created at the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) in 1994. Since the theme of this year’s CPD was Adolescents and Youth, a main focus of the negotiations was ensuring the sexual and reproductive rights and health (SRRH) for young people. Prior to the CPD, IWHC held an intensive multi-day Advocacy in Practice (AiP) workshop to help support participants advocating for SRRH at the national and international levels (pictured left).

IWHC and our advocate colleagues, including members of RESURJ, are very excited that late Friday, UN member states issued a bold resolution in support of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and human rights. This victory is a result of a week of very long days: hard work and strategic advocacy was put forth by an amazing group of advocates, who camped out at the UN here in New York for many long hours, going over language, making suggestions, and working with country delegates to make much-needed changes in the resolution.

Key points of the final resolution include:

• The right of young people to decide on all matters related to their sexuality
• Access to sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion where legal, that respect confidentiality and do not discriminate
• The right of youth to comprehensive sexuality education
• Protection and promotion of young people’s right to control their sexuality free from violence, discrimination and coercion

“At this time of global uncertainty, there is no more important investment to be made,” said South African youth delegate Kgomotso Papo during the closing plenary. “Only healthy young people whose human rights are protected can be fully productive workers and effective participants in their country’s political processes.  Only when young people are healthy and empowered can they contribute to building strong communities and vibrant nations.”

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From April 23 to April 27, 2012, the 45th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) met at the United Nations in New York City. The CPD is an annual week-long meeting at the UN where advocates and members states gather to create a resolution document that upholds the Programme of Action created at the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) in 1994. Since the theme of this year’s CPD was Adolescents and Youth, a main focus of the negotiations was ensuring the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for young people. Prior to the CPD, IWHC held an intensive multi-day “Advocacy in Practice” (AiP) workshop to help support participants advocating for SRHR at the national and international levels.

Below you will find a blog written by AiP participant Maxsalia Salmon of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network that underscores the importance of reaching a resolution at CPD, for the sake of protecting the rights of young people around the world.

It’s Friday the 27th of April (the proposed date for the closing of the 45th session of the CPD) and following days of opposition to proposed texts the members of the commission as it stands are currently awaiting the chairs text so as to proceed. As we gather with bated breath awaiting the resumption of today’s session the young people who have gathered from around the world stand committed to pushing for a resolution document today.

Notwithstanding the fact the nearly 95% of the delegates representing the UN nations at this year’s CPD session themed “Adolescent and Youth” are adults and dare I say elders in some cases I must salute the youth and the countries who have ensured  that young people are a part of the process. Their unrelenting attitude continues to motivate us here each day. With that said I must express my disappointment with the nations (including my own) who refused for whatever reason to include young people in this process. It cannot be emphasized enough how important it is to have young people being involved at all stages when we seek to make polices, programmes and even draft international agreements that affect their lives.

So it seems the issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people are one of the main reasons why the delegates have been unable to reach agreement on proposed text. It is preposterous to me that facts such as those highlighted by UNAIDS in the statements presented at this year’s CPD session have not clarified the need to have a comprehensive approach to addressing youth SRHR issues. Facts which show for example that young people accounted for 42% of all HIV infections in people aged 15 and older and that in low and middle income countries only 24% of young women and 36% of young men have comprehensive knowledge of HIV. It must be acknowledged by nations that all adolescents and youth have a right to sexual and reproductive health, to live free from violence and coercion, and to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights. Youth involvement, comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, an enabling legal and socio-cultural environment, and recognition of youth diversity are critical to ensuring that young people lead healthy lives.

Standing committed to youth development,
Maxsalia

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On April 11th, our colleagues in Brazil celebrated an important victory in the long battle toward safe legal abortion in the country. The Brazilian Supreme Court passed a vote eight to two in favor of making abortion legal in cases of anencephaly, a condition in which the fetus is developing without a brain and is not viable.

Debora Diniz, founder of ANIS and now a member of the IWHC Board of Directors, share her perspective with us: “The Justices who voted in favor justified their votes on women’s reproductive rights, which expands the understanding of the right to abortion beyond the case of anencephaly.”

Although this may seem like a tiny bit of progress in a larger struggle for the right to safe and legal abortion, after either years in the court system it is both a symbolic and actual shift toward greater reproductive rights.

On April 12, the Secretariat of Policies for Women issued a note saying the Government will ensure that the decision of the Supreme Court is enforced in the public health system.

Here’s what some of the Supreme Court judges had to say during the hearing:

“Being a martyr must an option. If anyone wants to carry the pregnancy to term, she can do it. Nobody will prohibit it… However, being forced to carry to term a pregnancy of an anencephalic fetus puts a women in a prison in her own body.” -Justice Marco Aurelio de Mello

“The lack of an appropriate institutional model contributes to this physical and psychological torture, causing harm (sometimes irreparable) to the lives of the women who are affected”  -Justice Gilmar Mendes

“Why punish this woman who is already going through a human tragedy?” -Justice Luis Fux

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Should women be forced to carry to term a pregnancy with an anencephalic fetus? That is the question the Supreme Court of Brazil will grapple with on April 11, when it considers the long-delayed case known as APDF 54. ANIS: the Institute of Bioethics, Human Rights and Gender issued a press release on this case, which can be found here.

While it would seem absurd and impossibly cruel to force a woman to carry to term a fetus that is missing part of its brain and therefore has no chance of survival, this is in fact the practice in Brazil today. All, of course, in the name of stopping abortions.

Severina, a poor woman from the Brazilian Northeast state of Pernambuco, endured this charade in 2004. At the time, the ADPF 54 case had recently been filed in the Brazilian Supreme Court by Anis – the Brazilian Institute of Bioethics, Human Rights and Gender – and by the Brazilian Confederation of Health Workers, a trade union. Moved by the facts presented to him, then Chief Justice Marco Aurélio Mello issued a preliminary injunction to allow terminations of anencephalic pregnancies until the matter wound its way through the Court. The full Court, however, soon reversed that order.

Severina, who had been told she would not have to carry to term a pregnancy with a fatally compromised fetus, was instead sent home. Her distressing story is featured in the documentary Uma História Severina. She is only one of many such cases. Commenting on his vote to ban these abortions, Justice Cézar Peluzo stated that “suffering does not necessarily affect human dignity, and at times can elevate a person.” Watch the video and decide for yourself.

What are the prospects that the Court will finally end this inhuman practice? They would seem reasonably good, although the same Cézar Peluzo is currently the Chief Justice of the Court for a few more weeks. Severina herself will attend the hearing, and the brave Anis team, which has filed an amicus brief in the case, will stand with her. Yet conservative religious forces are mobilizing. They have, for example, successfully put pressure on the Brazilian government of Dilma Rousseff in recent weeks, notably to censor an anti-HIV media campaign targeting gay men, which was planned for Carnival. Whether the modern, new Brazil or a retrograde “anti-woman” Brazil will prevail, remains uncertain.

Those of us living in the United States might have thought, even a year ago, that this kind of grotesque scenario could only happen elsewhere. The events of this past year, as numerous invasive abortion restrictions have passed in one State legislature after the other, give us pause. Suddenly, the distance from vaginal probes to being forced to carry a non-viable pregnancy seems much shorter. On April 11, we will stand in solidarity with all the Severinas of Brazil.

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The Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina (CSJN) issued a landmark ruling on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, which forcefully clarifies that a judicial order is not required in order to access safe abortion services when allowed in the law, therefore reaffirming that a woman’s right to privacy is paramount. The Court also applied the principles of constitutional interpretation in determining how the law protects life, what are interests at stake, and it sets the operating framework for the State to guarantee the full human rights of women.

In Argentina, abortion is illegal except where there is a risk to the health or life of the woman, or if the pregnancy is the result of a rape.

The case decided by the Supreme Court involves a 15-year-old girl, from the province of Chubut, who requested the termination of her pregnancy resulting from rape by her stepfather. After going through all the many layers of the local judicial system, she finally did get an abortion. Interestingly, the person who took this case to the Supreme Court was actually an anti-choice activist representing and defending the rights of the girl’s fetus.

Needless to say, the Supreme Court took on the case and this week’s ruling provides guidance for resolving any similar cases in the future. Most importantly, the Court clarifies the constitutional right of accessing safe abortion services where permitted by the law.

As a feminist and activist for women’s human rights, I welcome the decision of this Court. I understand that we still have much to do to in not only monitoring the compliance with this ruling, but also working to ensure that legal, safe and free abortion is guaranteed as a fundamental right.

Edurne Cárdenas, an alumnus of our Advocacy in Practice Training,  has been a long-time partner of IWHC’s ever since working with CLADEM Argentina.

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As the world reviews progress on  implementation of the  Program of Action of  the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, women in all our diversity, are mobilizing.  We aim to build political commitment, to overcome financial and legal obstacles, and to transform the weak health systems,  adverse social and economic conditions, violence and discrimination that impede us from accessing the necessary health services and information to make informed decisions about our sexual and reproductive lives.  All over the world, millions of women are demanding justice.  Young women are speaking out, calling for meaningful participation in all areas of public life, for education and jobs, and fulfillment of human rights, including sexual and reproductive rights.

Today, there are 1.8  billion young people between the ages of 10‐24 who do not have access to the comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and sexuality education that they need for a safe and healthy life.  More than 215 million women who are married or living in unions do not want to be pregnant but lack access to modern contraception, and even more lack access to other vital sexual and  reproductive  health  services  and  information. The  prevalence  of  anemia  due  to  poor  nutrition, continuing lack of  safe water and sanitation, and the health impacts of rising global and national inequality place the sexual and reproductive health of girls and women at grave risk.  Too many women and girls continue to face gender inequality, violence, and other violations of human rights.

We will generate political will, sustained action, and accountability for:

• Universal  access  to  quality,  comprehensive,  integrated  sexual  and  reproductive  health services,  counseling,  and  information  for  women  and  adolescent  girls,  with  respect  for their human  rights,  and  with  an  emphasis  on  equity  and  respect  for  diversity. Comprehensive services include: gynecological care, all forms of safe and effective contraception, safe abortion and  post  abortion  care,  maternity  care,  and  prevention,  timely  diagnosis  and  treatment  of sexually  transmitted  infections  including  HIV,  breast  and  reproductive  cancers,  and infertility. Ideally, these should be integrated, one‐stop services tailored to women’s needs throughout the life cycle, with effective referral.
• Programs that empower women, particularly adolescent girls and young women, to know their bodies and to exercise their rights, especially through comprehensive sexuality education.
• Protection and promotion of reproductive rights as human rights, and international adoption of sexual  rights as  human  rights.    Full  recognition  and  implementation,  through  policies and programs, of existing and emerging legal standards are urgently needed.
• Young  women’s leadership at  all  levels  and  types  of  decision‐making  on  sexual  and reproductive  rights  and  health,  and  the  meaningful  participation  of  women’s  organizations  in the design of health and development programs

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The Obama Administration’s misstep in overturning the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommendation on Plan B emergency contraception caught everyone off guard, primarily because it is in such violation of its own policies on science driving public health.

The FDA yesterday recommended that Plan B One-Step emergency contraception (EC) be available to women of all ages over the counter without a prescription who are at risk for an unplanned pregnancy.  Currently it is only available to those older than 18 even though evidence is that it is safe for those younger than that.  Many believe FDA’s recommendation was going to be an important step forward after the Bush Administration – once again in violation of the FDA’s recommendation – blocked over the counter access to EC.

We thought this kind of politics-trumping-health action was a thing of the past – but evidently that’s not the case.  Even when it is in complete violation of the Administration’s own policy for scientific integrity – which states that “Science and the scientific process must inform and guide decisions of my Administration on a wide range of issues, including improvement of public health, protection of the environment, increased efficiency in the use of energy and other resources, mitigation of the threat of climate change, and protection of national security.  The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions….”

We’d guess that this is more about political pandering to some…but certainly not to women who know prevention is prevention – and that this is their right. And the government has stated a number of times in various policy efforts that contraceptive methods are part of preventive services.  This action continues to limit access for many to this method of preventing an unplanned pregnancy.

Advocates are undertaking several steps to try to get the Administration to undo this wrong – and one easy way you can help is to add your name to this petition asking the Administration to not let politics trump science.

Who knows if we can change this major misstep, but they need to know we think it is simply wrong.

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IWHC is participating in the GlobalGiving Foundation’s Open Challenge – we must raise at least $4,000 from 50 donors by December 31st, which will go to support SWAAC in Cameroon, West Africa.

SWAAC works to promote and distribute female condoms for free. Female condoms are the only woman-controlled method that prevents both HIV and unwanted pregnancy.

“As a young woman, today I know to not always just trust someone who tells me he is faithful, but to be prudent because HIV isn’t written on people’s faces.  I discuss sexuality with my peers and always tell them that before any sexual act that must require that their partner use a condom.  At SWAAC I saw and touched a female condom for the first time.  Today I go out with other peer educators to promote information in the community about HIV prevention.  I am sure of myself because SWAAC taught me not only to work on my self-esteem, but also how to communicate better with my friends.”

– Helene, volunteer for the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa-Cameroon (SWAAC), our long-time partner

If we meet our goal, IWHC will earn a permanent spot on GlobalGiving’s website, where we have the potential to benefit from corporate relationships, exposure to a new donor network, and access to dozens of online fundraising tools.

Will you help IWHC and SWAAC reach the threshold of $4,000 from 50 donors? Please make a donation here today.

Even a small amount can make a big difference – just $10 helps to buy 700 female condoms. Not only will your gift help women in Cameroon but it will help us take advantage of a long-term fundraising opportunity.

This month we’ll be blogging about SWAAC and advocacy around female condoms.

And help us spread the word! Please share this opportunity with your friends and family and encourage them to give to the campaign.

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A partisan showdown over women’s health and rights on Wednesday, October 5 focused on UNFPA during a committee mark up of Rep. Renee Ellmers’ (R-NC) bill to halt all US funding to the agency.  Republican opposition to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is based on opposition to programs to protect health and rights – not as a budget savings measure.  Here’s how we know.  The Democratic minority in the committee offered 10 amendments – each designed to enable continue funding to UNFPA for specific activities.  Each amendment was defeated.  The amendments were to

1. prevent and treat obstetric fistula (Rep. Gerry Connolly – VA) – failed 21-12
2. provide services in disaster situations (Rep. Karen Bass – CA) – failed 21-13
3. provide services to those in vulnerable situations, including water, sanitation and gender based violence (Rep. Donald Payne – NJ) – failed 23-14
4. programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Rep. Donald Payne – NJ) – failed 23-14
5. support safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care (Rep. David Cicilline and Rep. Allyson Schwartz – PA) – failed  22-13
6. prevent female genital mutilation (Rep. David Cicilline – RI) – failed 21-13
7. prevent child marriage (Rep. William Keating – MA) –  failed 20-15
8. support family planning services (Rep. Chris Murphy – CT) –  failed 22-14
9. stop forced and coerced abortions and sterilizations marriage (Rep. William Keating – MA) – failed 22-16
10. support programs in Haiti (Rep. Gregory Meeks – NY) – failed  22-16

IWHC values and appreciates the leadership shown by these champions, as well as by Chairman Howard Berman and others for their statements and actions in support of women’s health and rights.  The State Department, in answer to a question during a press briefing about the House vote, also stood firmly behind UNFPA and its work.

IWHC urges Rep. Ellmers and her supportive colleagues to heed the words of Rev. Rebecca Quimada Sienes, founder of Buhata Pinaythe, a women’s organization in the Phillipines that focused on education, health and safety, livelihoods and political expression.  She and her colleagues continue their work because they know  “it is essential to help poor women have access to health services such as family planning, HIV/AIDS, etc. It is necessary so that they will have better life.”  She wrote to the policymaker, saying “It is very sad to know that you are sponsoring H.R. 2059 blocking USA funding to UNFPA. I believe it is a wrong move for anybody to do this. I urge you Rep Ellmers to withdraw your bill because we, in Asia particularly the Philippines, believe in what the UNFPA is doing to the world’s poorest citizens.  Please hear the call from the 64 & 74 years old women!”

{ 561414 commentshttp://blog.iwhc.org/2011/10/house-undermines-womens-and-girls-health-and-rights-%e2%80%93-again/House+undermines+women%27s+and+girls%27+health+and+rights+%E2%80%93+AGAIN2011-10-18+20%3A56%3A36Ellen+Marshall }