Transcript HIV/AIDS and Human Rights The Top 5 Issues

Reproductive Health
And
Human Rights
The Futures Group International
Research Triangle Institute
The Centre for Development and Population
Activities
POL I CY
with Funding from the U.S. Agency for International
Development
Outline of Presentation
Human rights documents support
reproductive rights
Good human rights practices
contribute to good RH
Human rights tools
Challenges for POLICY II
Key International Laws, Declarations
and Consensus Statements
1945
1948
1982
1994
1995
Key International Laws, Declarations
and Consensus Statements
1945
1948
1982
1994
1995
Key International Laws, Declarations
and Consensus Statements
1945
1948
1982
1994
1995
Link Between Human Rights and
Reproductive Rights at ICPD
Reproductive rights reflect human rights that are
already internationally recognized. These rights rest
on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and
individuals to decide freely and responsibly the
number, spacing and timing of their children and to
have the information and means to do so, and the
right to attain the highest standard of sexual and
reproductive health.
It also includes their right to make decisions
concerning reproduction free of discrimination,
coercion and violence as expressed in human rights
documents.
Reproductive Rights
are
Human Rights
RH Outcomes are Related to Adherence
of Human/Reproductive Rights
Rape, genderbased violence,
trafficking of
women & girls
Unwanted pregnancy
Miscarriage
STI/HIV/AIDS
Infertility
Psychological trauma
Female genital
cutting, other
harmful cultural
practices
Difficulty with intercourse,
obstructed childbirth,
infection, infertility, RHrelated emotional distress
RH Outcomes are Related to Adherence
of Human/Reproductive Rights
Care denied
solely on
HIV status
New or current
HIV+ client
denied access to
care
Serious RH and
other health
risks for client,
partner and
others
Provider
claims
insufficient
HIV treatment
expertise
Inappropriate
referrals to
specialists
Client suffers
further RH
problems due
to lack of
timely care
RH Outcomes are Related to Adherence
of Human/Reproductive Rights
Husband’s
consent
necessary for
women’s medical
treatment
Services focused
entirely on
women to the
exclusion of
men
Woman’s lack of
access to FP
methods/services
Lack of access to
emergency
obstetric care
Men are unable to
access services
Unwanted
pregnancy
Death in
childbirth
Poor
reproductive
heath for men
and their
partners
STI/HIV/AIDS
RH Outcomes are Related to Adherence
of Human/Reproductive Rights
No privacy in
counseling area
of RH clinic
Health centers are
not equipped to
handle emergency
obstetric care
(i.e., trained
providers,
supplies,
equipment)
Client unable or
embarrassed to
ask questions
about methods or
services
Lack of access
to emergency
obstetric care
Non-use or incorrect
use of methods or
unnecessary
discontinuation
contributes to
unwanted pregnancy
Maternal/child
morbidity or
mortality
IPPF Rights of The Client
 Information
 Access
 Choice
 Safety
 Privacy
Confidentiality
 Dignity
 Comfort
 Continuity
 Opinion

Governments Have the Duty to…
Respect rights – not requiring authorization
by husbands or partners for women to obtain
RH services
Protect rights – taking positive action against
hospitals that perform FGC
Promote/fulfill rights – implementing
programs for women who are at high risk of
contracting HIV/AIDS
Source: CEDAW General Recommendation
on Women and Health
Good Human Rights Practices Contribute
to Good Reproductive Health
“Promoting women’s full and equal access to and
enjoyment of basic human rights (e.g., education,
adequate standard of living, equal employment
opportunity, equal rights during and after marriage,
access to necessary medical care, and safety and
security of person) is not only worthwhile but
promotes women’s ability to protect themselves from
disease.”
Gostin and Lazzarini, 1997
“The most difficult issues of behavior or
practices like rape, incest, female genital
mutilation, the idea of female
reproductive rights – all these concepts
we would never have been able to
discuss just a few years ago…. [This] is
an indication of massive, massive
change in thinking.”
Nafis Sadik 2000
Tools for Respecting, Promoting and
Protecting Human Rights through
Reproductive Health
•Laws
•Policies
•Regulation
•Advocacy
•Documentation
•Reporting
Laws, Policies, Regulations
Laws, Policies, Regulations:
International
Countries that ratified
human rights treaties
are required to report
regularly
Laws, Policies, Regulations:
National
National laws,
regulations, and policies
reflect international
human rights laws,
conventions and
declarations
Laws, Policies, Regulations:
Operational
Service delivery
policies/guidelines
respect clients rights to
access to quality
information and
services free from bias,
discrimination and
violence
Advocacy, Documentation, & Reporting
YOU can
make a
difference!!
What Can POLICY Do to
Improve Reproductive Health
Using Human Rights Tools?
P
O
L IC
Y
Nationally:
POLICY
Advocacy
Participation
Training
Resources
Research
POLICY
Advocacy
Hold governments accountable for
human/reproductive rights obligations
Identify/document/report violations
Advocate for changes in law
Make complaints to HR commissions
Offer direct legal services
Ensure women access to courts
Participation
POLICY
Emphasize -Gender perspective
Involve women
Include men
Include young adults
POLICY
Training for
Health Workers
Comprehensive
 Mandatory
 Gender-sensitive
Training for Judges
POLICY
Develop culture of respect
- for human rights
- for women’s rights
Create women’s access to justice
Teach women's rights in law schools
Resources
POLICY
Ensure that reproductive health
care needs are equally represented
with other health care needs in
national budgets
Research
POLICY
Study the impact of human/
reproductive rights implementation
on reproductive health
outcomes
Assessment Questions
What are the current human rights issues in your
country related to reproductive health?
What types of human rights activities could
POLICY do in your country to address these
issues?
What are the constraints you face in implementing
human rights activities?
What types of resources would you need to
implement these activities?