Human rights defenders often put their own lives on the line to promote and protect all of our rights. Today we celebrate the women living with HIV and others who advocate for sexual and reproductive rights in the context of HIV and AIDS.
Is it possible for a feminist to be worried both about human rights and demographic trends? My answer is yes.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell falls temporarily – and with it the hopes of a repeal of the military abortion ban; the U.S. fails on almost all measurable goals for improving women’s health; Afghan women get a hand from the UN and a new report and more.
In 1966, at age 15, I had an illegal abortion. I later became a provider. The constant violation of the rights of clients and providers led me to participate in the first Universal Periodic Review to advocate for people whose rights need to be protected.
The U.S. has shockingly high rates of maternal death, especially among marginalized communities such as women of color. The human right to health care, particularly maternal health care, is not being met in the US. But we can change this.
Recent advances in HIV prevention promise to catalyze the global effort to reverse the spread of HIV. But we also must ensure that the estimated 33 million already living with the virus have access to quality sexual and reproductive health services.
CEDAW is the international treaty that affirms equal rights for women around the world. The United States has never ratified this agreement. It’s far past time to do so.
During the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, healthcare in the U.S. was analyzed regarding whether the U.S. healthcare system is actually set up to ensure that people can get the medical services that they need.
