Protecting Human Rights and Ending Gender-Based Violence:A Collective Responsibility
- 365healthdiaries
- Dec 8, 2024
- 2 min read
By Hamu Madzedze
Online Health Editor-Zimbabwe
As the World prepares to commemorate International Human Rights Day on the 10th of December and Universal Health Coverage Day on 12 December experts are calling for a collective action to safeguard the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all girls and women.
Founder-leader of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities Abia Akram said the human rights perspective is crucial in implementing sustainable development goals and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability.
"Women and girls with disabilities face four times greater gender-based violence and sexual harassment compared to others." said Akram
She also highlighted that women and girls with disabilities face communication ,policy and legislative barriers, and social constraints, particularly in climate change-related humanitarian responses.
"Persons with disability need to be treated as equals and also be given the opportunity to speak out about gender based violence and sexual harassment they are facing in their lives" said Akram
She said the need for systemic changes to remove these barriers and make referral systems more inclusive cannot be underestimated .
Stephanie Musho, Lawyer and Regional Coordinator, Catalysts Africa said not everything that is termed ‘Geneva’ advances human rights, and Geneva Consensus Declaration is one such example.
Musho added the Geneva Consensus does not recognize the International human right to safe abortion.
The Executive Director for Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)Debanjana Choudhuri,said there has been an increase in anti-rights movements, which threaten to dilute language around rights, equality, and equity.
Choudhuri added that in India positive changes have begun to be witnessed around the safe abortion law, but full implementation is still needed.
Benedicta Oyedayo Oyewole, Community Engagement and Partnership Lead, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Africa Region, highlights the intersection of ageism, sexism, and systematic exclusion
Coordinator of Sexual Health with Equity (SHE &Rights )Shobha Shukla, emphasised the importance of dismantling patriarchy, ensuring racial equity, and promoting disability inclusion and justice.
The Geneva Declaration is a joint statement aimed at promoting women's health and strengthening the family. It was initiated by the United States under the Trump Administration and adopted in October 2020. The declaration has been signed by 32 countries, including Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, and Uganda.
The declaration's main objectives include
promoting women's health ,securing meaningful health and development gains for women protecting life at all stages,declaring the sovereign right of every nation to make its own laws protecting life and strengthening the family, that is defending the family as foundational to any healthy society.
However, critics argue that the declaration undermines sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly access to safe abortion care services. They also point out that the declaration was not discussed in any United Nations forum and does not reflect any global agreement.
Comments