In October 2013 our main themes were the following:
On October 10, activist Gabriela Leite, who devoted her life to fight for the rights of prostitutes, has left us. The death of Gabriela has reverberated in Brazil and worldwide because her life trajectory and historical leadership but also because how the claims she has raised remain alive in the Brazilian scenario, as illustrated by the bill aimed at regulating sex work is being debated at the Congress. As a tribute to Gabriela, SPW has produced a dossier of notes and articles that have circulated nationally and internationally about her. Click here to have access to the dossier.
Speaking of prostitution, SPW has also highlighted the experiences of countries like New Zealand that legalized the profession 10 years ago and France where a bill aimed at criminalizing clients is now being debated by the National Assembly (In French Link) .
Another important topic was International Day to Stop Trans Pathologization on October 19th (here and here). We have also called attention to the statement issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that condemns violence against LGBTI people in the Americas and the Caribbean, recommending states to take the required measures to prevent and punish these violations. Finally, the debate on gender identity has also gained visibility under the impact of the German government measure that allows intersex babies to be registered in a new category that is neither male nor female. Some analyses have critically interrogated the caveats of this initiative.
We have also focused on the influence of conservative religion on left-wing Latin American governments. This has been triggered by threat made by President Rafael Corrêa to resign in case Congress legalized abortion. This episode was analyzed by Manuela L. Picq, professor at the University San Francisco de Quito, specially written for SPW. This conservative religious influence was also analyzed by El País.
Good reading! Check the SPW website for more information and analyses on sexual and reproductive rights.