Women’s access to essential SRHR information and services remains critical in responding to COVID-19

April 27, 2020

Women’s access to essential SRHR information and services
remains critical in responding to COVID-19

This May 28,  join women’s rights activists around the world in calling on governments and the international community to ensure a rights-based, just, and sustainable approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women’s access to essential Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services remains critical in responding to COVID-19.  Governments should ensure and also prioritize the delivery of essential SRH services to women and girls. Any public health strategy that is not mindful of human rights, including SRHR, will not only be inept and unsustainable but will also create an enabling environment for grave human rights violations.

The landscape for ensuring SRHR, including access to safe abortion, has never been easy even during ‘normal’ times. Today, more than ever, in spite of the physical distance, we work in solidarity and continue our collective effort to oppose injustices in a myriad of ways. Our aim this year is to highlight, promote, and support the many different ways activists all over the world are currently responding to the challenges related to COVID-19. The current context shows us that once again preparing, mitigating, and responding to health crises is inevitably about examining and abolishing the inequalities in our society. As we tightly hold on to our hopes for the end of this crisis, we remain steadfast in our solidarity so that we do not go back to ‘normal,’ but rather come out of this with a better and just world for all.

Take Action

We want to make sure your voice is heard. JOIN US NOW!

  • Amplify our voices in speaking up on the challenges faced by women and girls during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to sexual and reproductive health and rights
  • Express outrage and highlight cases of neglect and denial of SRHR services women and girls face in the name of prevention of COVID-19
  • Assert strong commitments from governments and expressions of support from CSOs to address SRHR and violence issues in the response to COVID-19
  • Strengthen feminist solidarity towards ensuring women are supported and represented in all COVID-19 planning and decision-making
  • Mobilise wider support for women’s health within other social justice movements.

This May28
MAKE HERSTORY!
SPEAK OUT!
ASSERT!
MOBILIZE!

Visit and share www.may28.org and learn more about the campaign and learn what you can do in your community. Spread the word!

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May 28 is the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, which for over 30 years, women’s rights advocates and allies in the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) movement worldwide have commemorated in diverse ways. Year after year, women, girls, advocates and allies have continued to take action and stand up for sexual and reproductive rights for what they are: an indivisible and inalienable part of our human rights.

Now, at a time when women’s human rights, and particularly sexual and reproductive rights continue to be systematically violated worldwide, mobilization both within and beyond our communities remains essential, in order to resist any rollback on our rights and advance sexual and reproductive justice for all. As the global geo-political context threatens to become increasingly regressive, it is more important than ever to denounce any attempts at curtailing women’s rights, including our human rights to decide freely upon all aspects of our bodies, our sexualities, and our lives, free from coercion, discrimination and violence.
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