Roundup: Global Leaders Talk Women’s Health at UN Meetings, Gardasil Blocks Border for Young Woman

UN Meetings and Clinton Global Initiative on climate change and maternal health, Gardasil's border issue, and news from around the web.

UN Meetings on Climate Change, Maternal Health…

First off, our own Jodi Jacobson is in New York this week attending the Clinton Global Initiative Meeting (CGI) and the UN meetings on climate change, maternal health and more.This morning, according to the Associated Press, gender inequity was a focal point. 

"No country can prosper if it leaves half its people behind," said
Melanne Verveer, the State Department’s ambassador-at-large for global
women’s issues.

Jodi reported yesterday that women’s health funding is certainly a priority at the CGI. In fact, one foundation has already committed $2 million to end targeted violence against women and girls, distributing the funds through three organizations.

There have also been partnerships announced to support the next generation of global maternal health leaders through EngenderHealth and Ashoka:

“This is the first fellowship program to focus
exclusively on global maternal health and comes at a moment when the need is
more urgent than ever. By supporting a new generation of passionate and
committed innovators, we grow one step closer to saving women’s lives and
eliminating the gross disparity between developed and developing countries when
it comes to maternal health,” said Ana Langer, M.D., president of
EngenderHealth.

Climate change has a distinct and critical relationship to women’s health, as well. Population Action International’s Karen Hardee and Kathleen Mogelgaard write for Rewire on the UN climate change meetings with President Obama and leaders from around the world – and note that while reducing emissions is not the only issue, we may be overlooking a critical factor in climate change: women.

The authors refer to a newly released study that shows how universal access to reproductive health may in fact be one necessary path towards reducing green house gas emissions by 2050. 

Home-Free? Not Without Gardasil…

Miriam Perez at Feministing writes of a young woman who has found herself blocked by the United States’ revised list of required immunizations for legal immigration, implemented last year. One of those required immunizations is teh HPV vaccine, also known as Gardasil. According to Perez, 

Numerous immigration groups came out in opposition to this requirement,
stating that it posed a unfair financial barrier to immigrant women,
who already take on a lengthy and costly process to become citizens.

Simone, a seventeen year old "devout Christian" according to ABC News, does not want the vaccine. 

"I am only 17 years old and planning to go to college and not have sex
anytime soon," said Simone. "There is no chance of getting cervical
cancer, so there’s no point in getting the shot."

But, as Perez notes, though she believes the vaccine is an important health tool and she doesn’t "necessarily agree with this young woman’s reasons for not
being vaccinated, it’s obvious that this vaccine mandate adds a huge
financial barrier for immigrant women trying to adjust their status."

Read more. 

Other News from Around the Web

SEPTEMBER 23
Catholic News Agency: Notre Dame pro-life efforts being tarnished by trespass charges, says law prof
Catholic Culture: SURVEY: 56% OF AMERICANS OPPOSE MANDATORY ABORTION COVERAGE
Jamaica Observer: ABORTION: THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
Jamaica Observer: WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY IS SEPT 26
Arizona Republic: Anti-abortion groups target suits challenging new laws
Bradenton Herald: Anti-abortion protest planned toda
Catholic Leader: Pregnancy crisis group seeks land
AP: Pa. teen pleads guilty in abortion attempt on girl

SEPTEMBER 22

HuffPo: The Republican Approach to Abortion and Health Care — Fair or Unfair?
LifeNews: Arizona Pro-Life Groups, Legislators Seek to Protect Comprehensive Abortion Law
East Valley Tribune: Judge to decide on abortion wait period
News on 6: New Anti-Abortion Campaign Started In Tulsa
KVUE: Pro Life group target Austin facilities
AP: Tight schedule on move to block Ariz. abortion law
Lubbock: Unborn child teaches a pro-life lesson
Leader-Telegram: Health care is pro-life
BeliefNet: Dept of No-Good-Deed-Goes-Unpunished (Abortion Division)
MN Daily: (Letter) Pro-choice side not adequately represented
Nashville Scene: Why the Pro-Life Groups Have to Piss Off the Republicans
Catholic Culture: ARCHBISHOP BURKE REPEATS: NO COMMUNION, NO CATHOLIC FUNERAL FOR PRO-ABORTION POLITICIANS
American Catholic: Father Jenkins: Looking for a Pro-life Initiative? Drop the Charges Against Father Weslin
Newsbusters: Senate Health Bill Funds Abortion; Media Mostly Mum
LifeSiteNews: Pro-Life Wisconsin Ad Attacks U. of Wisconsin Late-Term Abortion Plan
Newsbusters: ABC Perpetuates Myth of Violent Pro-Lifers
LifeSiteNews: Vienna Cardinal Forbids Famous Pro-Life Bishop to Attend Pro-Life Rally
LifeNews: Kansas Pro-Life Group: Focus on Planned Parenthood, Abortion Not Phill Kline
EmpowHer: Generic Emergency Contraception Without Prescription is Approved
CBN: Grassley Brings Up Abortion at Senate Finance Committee Hearing
BBC News: Sexual health fear over recession
HuffPo: Lila Rose, Right-Wing Activist, Calls For Public Abortions (VIDEO)