United Nations Economic and Social Council

Abortion Policies and Reproductive Health around the World

This report discusses changes in the legal grounds for abortion and other related reproductive policies since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. The report looks at 197 countries around the world and tracks the general global trend in abortion policies. Information on which countries restricted or liberalized access to abortion is provided. This report also considers government policies regarding fertility rates, rates of adolescent fertility, and violence against women and domestic violence. It also examines the number and

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: Report on the Third Session

The Third Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues focussed on Indigenous women. The report of this session reviews the diverse topics discussed and outlines recommended actions for governments, the United Nations and Indigenous peoples organizations. Specific issues outlined in this report include education, culture, environment, health and economic and social development. The report states that governments need to increase their commitment to ensuring the protection of the fundamental human rights of Indigenous women.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants: Migrant Domestic Workers

This report discusses the abuse and human rights violations experienced by migrant domestic workers, focusing specifically on the situation of live-in women workers. The report begins by briefly outlining recent activities carried out by the Special Rapporteur, and focuses its analysis on the situation of migrant domestic workers. It describes structural factors that increase the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers, and highlights the need for watchdog mechanisms and adequate monitoring by governments, recruiting agencies and consulates.

Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking

This set of recommended principles by ECOSOC argues for the primacy of human rights in states' efforts to prevent and combat trafficking as well as assist and protect trafficked persons. The recommended principles address four main areas: the primacy of human rights in the anti-trafficking dialogue; prevention of trafficking; victim protection and assistance; and criminalization, punishment and redress.