TAG: reproductive rights

The Zika virus has reignited Brazil’s abortion debate

Today, Brazil’s attention is focused on a different type of birth defect: microcephaly, in which a child is born with an abnormally small skull. Microcephaly, which can severely impact a child’s development, is being linked to a massive outbreak of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness first discovered in Africa in the 1940s.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights launches campaign to decriminalize abortion

On Jan. 18, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) launched a continental campaign for the decriminalization of abortion in Africa to bring attention to unsafe abortion which significantly threatens women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.

News and analysis on the Brazilian and Latin American zika virus crisis and its effects on women’s health and reproductive rights here and worldwide

The Zika Virus Could Force Women To Have Unsafe Abortions – Huffington Post El Salvador’s Advice on Zika Virus: Don’t Have Babies – New York Times Zika virus: Pregnant women advised to stay away from Rio 2016 Olympics – Independent Zika virus: Australia warns pregnant women not to travel to affected areas- The Guardian Zika […]

Planned Parenthood cleared of accusations of selling human tissue

Planned Parenthood has been cleared of accusations of selling human tissue, after covert videos released last year prompted the investigation. A Houston grand jury instead indicted the leader of an anti-abortion group that recorded the videos of the organization’s employees.

New issue of Reproductive Health Matters: sexuality, sexual rights and sexual politics

The issue 46 of Reproductive Health Matters focuses on the theme “Sexuality, sexual rights and sexual politics” and brings articles offering “a wide range of analysis, perspectives and evidence that highlight the nexus between sexual health and human rights and deepen our knowledge about the challenges and opportunities for individuals of any sexual orientation or […]

Chilean Ministry of Health issues instructions stopping “normalising” interventions on intersex children

The Chilean Ministry of Health has issued instructions to its national health sector to stop “normalising” medical interventions on intersex infants and children. This guidance is a global first: the first time that a health ministry has shown leadership in taking this step without legislation or legal action.

Peru compensates woman in historic UN Human Rights abortion case

In 2001, a 17-year-old Peruvian girl, named K.L., was 14 weeks pregnant when doctors at the public hospital in Lima diagnosed the foetus with anencephaly. Anencephaly is a fatal birth defect, where the foetus lacks most or all of the forebrain. Doctors told her that continuing the pregnancy would put her life and health at […]

2015 Sexual Politics Round- Up

As the year heads toward its end, SPW recollects main trends and facts in sexual politics worldwide. January Pope Francis drew global attention after urging the faithful not to reproduce as “rabbits”. The remarks sparked reactions from the most diverse quarters actors (here and here). In Chile, a new law was approved that recognized civil unions […]

Palestine’s Abortion Problem

Around 40 percent of women in the West Bank have had abortions, though the procedure remains illegal in Palestine. So guess where they go.

Sierra Leone Parliament votes to reform abortion law

Today in Sierra Leone, the country’s parliament voted unanimously in favor of a new abortion law that will make safe abortion legal. According to the World Health Organization, Sierra Leone has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, including significant contribution from unsafe abortion.

Sexual Politics in November 2015

As we were finalizing the compilation of sexual politics related events that make the headlines in November the screens were taken over by the armed attack on the Colorado abortion clinic that killed three people and left many other gravely hurt. There was no time to develop an in depth analysis of this tragic event, […]

News and comments on the armed attack at the Colorado abortion clinic

Civilians, Police Injured in Shooting Near Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood (Updated) – Reality Check Anti-Choice Leaders’ Response to Colorado Violence Reveals Tension Between Rhetoric and Actions – Reality Check Colorado Pro-Choice Leaders: Extreme Rhetoric Contributed to Shootings at Planned Parenthood – Reality Check Anti-Choice Violence: Why Colorado Springs Is Different – Reality Check Shooting at […]