Statements

The coronavirus pandemic is only showing us once again that preparing, mitigating, and responding to health crises is inevitably about examining and abolishing the inequalities in our society. How glaring is the fact that while it is as simple as handwashing that can help stop the spread of the infections, 40% of the world’s population still do not have adequate handwashing facilities with water and soap at home? As we tightly hold on to our hopes for the end of this crisis, we remain steadfast in our solidarity so that we don’t go back to ‘normal,’ but rather come out of this with a better and just world.

This submission was prepared by a coalition of civil society groups working in the Philippines to contribute to the upcoming report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the situation of human rights in the Philippines as requested by the Human Rights Council (the Council) in its Resolution 41/2 adopted on 11 July 2019 on the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. We would like to direct the attention of the OHCHR to grave violations of fundamental human rights resulting from one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world which causes preventable deaths and injuries among women and girls who are unable to access safe and legal abortion services.

Grassroots sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and abortion rights organisations from five countries in Africa, gathered in Nairobi, Kenya to reaffirm commitments to promote and advance SRHR, including the right to access safe abortion information and services.

We, the 250 African young people, mostly adolescent girls and young women, in all our diversity, from across African countries representing all regions gathered on 12-14 August, 2019 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and on 27October, 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the youth regional consultation on Beijing+25 on the theme “Generation Equality Africa”. We recognize, […]

On the occasion of September 28 International Safe Abortion Day – Global Day of Action, WGNRR together with partner organisations and networks demand the normalisation of abortion. Although the legal status of abortion varies across regions, abortion is usually stigmatised and commonly thought of as  a “rare” and “uncommon” procedure. We know the reality is much […]

When political leaders and government officials permit attacks on WHRDs and/or are unresponsive when cases of harassment and violence are brought to light, they impede human rights and are complicit in the perpetuation or even legitimization of the harassment experienced by WHRDs.

Women’s human rights are crucial to achieving Agenda 2030 and sustainable development. The very principles that human rights are indivisible and interconnected must be the foundational guidelines for SDG monitoring and implementation. Asia Pacific women, in all their diversity, understand that the patriarchy manifested in fundamentalisms, neoliberal globalisation, conflicts and militarism is the structural driver of deepening inequalities, and undermines women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

This statement was presented by Christelyn Sibugon on behalf of WGNRR. Click on the image and watch the video at 1:01:14 On behalf of the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights, I value the opportunity to represent over a thousand organizations and individuals worldwide, who are committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights […]