The Global Gag Rule (GGR) is a U.S. foreign policy that – when enacted – prohibits foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. family planning funds from advocating for abortion or providing abortion as a method of family planning.
It does not prohibit activities around abortion in the cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment. However, it is unclear as to whether or not services are actually provided under the three exceptions.
The GGR – also known as the “Mexico City Policy” – serves as a barrier to a wide range of health services for women and girls globally. It has:
- Prevented women and girls from accessing contraception and safe abortion consistent with the laws in their countries
- Been associated with increased abortion rates
- Hampered HIV prevention efforts
- Contributed to the closing of health clinics
- Obstructed rural communities access to health care
- The potential to negatively affect the speed and effectiveness of humanitarian aid.
This Policy brief from CHANGE (Center for Health and Gender Equality) outlines in more detail the global impact of the GGR on women’s health.
UNFPA and NORAD
This paper from UNFPA and NORAD seeks to inform Member States, civil society organizations, including Faith-based Organizations (FBOs) and the UN, among others, about the context and the nature of debates and different perspectives related to some particularly sensitive issues around sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. Its aim is the sustainability of efforts and the achievement of common ground among different actors to move forward gender equality and women’s human rights.
The document highlights (briefly) the solid basis of evidence that supports reproductive rights and the benefits that reproductive health can bring for all people. It sets these within the framework of international agreements and covenants. It then outlines areas of controversy, exploring the complex ways in which perceptions and practice link these controversies to cultural and religious beliefs. It highlights some of the specific approaches that are affirmed by leaders and scholars of several major religious traditions, and notes areas of internal debate and reflection. The final section highlights some noteworthy approaches and programs led by religious actors that demonstrate what can be achieved through partnership.
The principal output of the Commission on the Status of Women is the agreed conclusions on priority themes set for each year.
This document is the Agreed Conclusions Women, the girl child and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome from 2001 (45th session).
It covers the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls and suggests actions to be taken by states in order to empower women, create a prevention program and focus on healthcare, and ensure the complete treatment, care, and support needed by women and girls. It also calls for collaboration on the subject and asserts the need to eliminate gender discrimination globally.
This statement was delivered at at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), 58th session by Kenita Placide of United and Strong, Saint Lucia on behalf of the Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus.
The statement, which was endorsed by 76 organizations, reiterates that lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and other individuals with diverse sexual orientations face harm and violence across the world. It states that the guise of development is often coupled with negative impacts on these individuals and communities, and that states must come together to ensure development goes hand in hand with equality and the guarantee and protection of rights.
This statement was presented to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), 57th Session on the 11th March 2013 by Noelene Nabulivou Diverse Voices and Action for Equality, in Fijia. The statement, endorsed by 89 organizations from 48 countries, reiterates the oppression faced by individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and calls for the protection and promotion of their rights. It notes that much of the violence inflicted on these individuals is justified in the name of tradition, culture, and/or religion, and calls for an end to the discrimination and violence as well as swift penalties for the violation of rights and perpetration of crimes.
The Beijing Declaration, a landmark document in women’s rights, recognizes the inequality faced by women and stresses the necessity for the implementation of policies and programmes that strive to provide women with the rights they are entitled to, and to create a foundation for gender equality across all fields and issues.
This resource is published by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
With a comprehensive view of young people’s sexual rights, the document includes issues related to the diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics among young people; and specific recommendations related to young LGBTI people.
Translating the sexual rights of young people into practice not only involves raising awareness among young people for them to claim their rights, but working with duty bearers, such as health providers, educators and policymakers for them to fulfil these rights in law and in services. As adolescence is a time of gradually gaining responsibilities, implementing the rights of adolescents specifically involves a dynamic process of striking a balance between protecting them while respecting their autonomy and promoting their empowerment.
Fulfil! was written with the input of a large group of experts from the human rights, sexual and reproductive health and youth communities. It addresses critical opportunities to implement young people’s sexual rights in a global context and provides specific guidance for policy makers, health providers and educators.
This General Recommendation by the CEDAW Committee highlights that violence against women is a form of discrimination and negatively impacts women globally.
The Committee reminds states of their obligation to eliminate this gendered violence and examines specific articles within the Convention towards the elimination of violence against women. It also makes specific recommendations to states to guide them to meet their obligations and achieve the means by which violence against women can be eliminated.
This report by the Center for Reproductive Rights discusses the new wave of restrictions that are impacting women seeking access to abortions in Central and Eastern Europe.
The report critiques recent regressive measures and uses a rights-based approach to explain and advocate for the removal of these new requirements.
