Global Advocates Demand Action on Safe Abortion Rights.
- 365healthdiaries
- Sep 9
- 2 min read
By Hamu Madzedze
Online Health and Gender Editor-Zimbabwe
Experts from around the world are sounding the alarm on the importance of safe abortion rights, emphasizing that access to safe abortion is not only a matter of legal obligation but also of sound public policy and effective governance.
Senior Advocacy Manager at the Global Centre for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion Kelcey Armstrong-Walenczak said the right to health as recognized in the international covenant on economic, social, and cultural rights places three fundamental responsibilities on states to respect, protect, and fulfill.
"Safe abortion care sits squarely within this framework. Without it, the right to health cannot be fully realized",said Armstrong-Walenczak.
The global health landscape is becoming increasingly challenging, with regressive policies rolling back hard-won rights. Tomoko Fukuda, Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) for East, South-East Asia, and Oceania Region, notes that opposition to gender equality and human rights is getting stronger and more organized.
"We cannot be seen as small dots on a large plane,the more we hold hands, the more we come together, the bigger the movement we can be, the louder our voice can be, bigger the mark we will make."highlighted Fukuda
In Africa, the Maputo Protocol has been hailed as a groundbreaking instrument that recognizes safe abortion rights in explicit terms.
However, Nelly Munyasia, Executive Director of the Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK), points out that despite regional and international treaties on gender equality and the right to health, many governments still fail to implement these commitments fully.
"Well-coordinated strong anti-rights and anti-gender groups are attacking 'family values' and wanting to define how 'family values' look like," Munyasia said.
Munyasia added that these groups are using religious or culture garbs against abortion rights.
Dr. Mabel Bianco, Physician activist and founding president of FEIM (Foundation for Studies and Research on Women), Argentina, emphasizes that safe abortion rights are part of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice.
"Not giving safe abortion rights is a state's violation of women's rights."she said
Dr. Suchitra Dalvie, co-founder and coordinator of Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), highlights the importance of contextualizing the struggle for safe abortion rights with other intersectional realities.
"We need to go beyond just choice and rights but talk about other frameworks of justice which are allowing us to make these choices in a meaningful way"said Dr Dalvie
We need to go beyond equality and demand equity."
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