Women's Human Rights Resources Database

This page of the Annual Review of Population Law web site links to the abortion laws of over 60 countries. The countries are listed alphabetically - users can simply click on the name of the country they are interested in to be linked to the full text of the relevant law. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Abortion, International]

This paper provides a human rights analysis of gender-specific factors that make women vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS and influence the consequences of contracting the virus. It analyzes social and human rights factors such as gender-based violence, traditional practices, violence against women in conflict, lack of economic independence, sex work, and injected drug use. Intersecting discriminatory categories such as ethnicity, sexual orientation and age are also discussed. The last section of the paper reviews prevention and treatment strategies and advocates a multi-pronged approach which incorporates education, social empowerment, antiretroviral provision programs, prevention of gender-based violence and promotion of human rights. The paper ends with recommendations for governments. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International]

This article attempts to demonstrate and analyze the rapidly rising numbers of women and girls with HIV/AIDS in African nations. It sets out different steps that can be taken to ensure the protection of young women and girls from the disease, particularly the role the US might play in slowing down or halting the epidemic. The author focuses on sexual violence as a means of spreading the disease, and the lack of economic independence that frequently leads to commercial sex, in which the women and girls are ill-equipped to negotiate for condom use. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International - Africa]

The author of this position paper argues for better provision of HIV/AIDS services for Aboriginal women in Canada. She begins with a statistical report of the number of Aboriginal women who are HIV positive. She then discusses various factors that exacerbate Aboriginal women's vulnerability to HIV infection including poor socioeconomic conditions, sexual and physical violence, low self-esteem, high levels of injection drug use, and low levels of HIV testing and treatment. Additionally, the author argues that Aboriginal women are stigmatized and discriminated against by their communities when they disclose their HIV positive status. She describes the barriers that Aboriginal women prisoners with HIV face, including poor access to information, services and support. She concludes with a discussion on the lack of research in this field. [Descriptors: Indigenous Women, Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, Canada]

This special edition newsletter reproduces nine of the presentations made at the 12th World AIDS Conference in Geneva (1998). The presentations discuss legal, ethical and human rights issues related to HIV/AIDS. Several of the presentations discuss the need for a human rights framework in order to understand the underlying causes of women's vulnerability to contracting HIV/AIDS. Other presentations call for a more assertive activist community, and express dismay at the reduction of funds for prevention and care programs. Finally, some presentations focus on specific case studies. The newsletter also includes a selection of abstracts that were presented at the Conference. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International]

This section of the online discussion paper "HIV/AIDS and Discrimination" introduces the subject of Canadian women and discrimination against them associated with HIV/AIDS. It discusses women's vulnerability to HIV infection, focusing on gender inequalities and violence against women. With respect to HIV testing and counselling, the author notes that women face difficulty as they are not viewed as a high-risk category, they are often discriminated against by race or ethnic origin, and physicians tend to restrict testing to pregnant women. Barriers to prevention and care for lesbian women are also discussed. The author ends by highlighting the psychosocial and socioeconomic needs of women with HIV/AIDS; specifically, the gender imbalances between men and women in terms of social stigma, financial need and access to treatment. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, Canada]

This document is a briefing paper that examines changes in abortion laws that have occurred since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The first section on legislative developments briefly summarizes the developments in national abortion laws that have occurred since the ICPD. Seven countries that have liberalized their abortion laws and two countries that have restricted their abortion laws since 1994 are discussed. The second section of the paper provides recommendations for action by governments, NGOs, and international donors. Actions focus on the removal of legal and regulatory barriers to abortion. Actions are suggested for both countries in which abortion laws are restrictive and those in which they are more liberal.

This report reviews the establishment of human rights and sexual rights within the international legal system. The analysis focuses on the incorporation of reproductive and sexual health considerations by six United Nations human rights treaty-monitoring committees. The report considers two categories of reproductive rights: the right to reproductive health care and the right to reproductive self-determination. Chapter 2 reviews the treaty-monitoring system and outlines potential future advancements by the monitoring committees in supporting reproductive and sexual rights. The remaining chapters are divided into sub-sections relating to substantive reproductive and sexual rights. The review of each specific right contains an analysis of the general comments, recommendations and concluding observations of the six Committees. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Overview, International]

This report details the factual content of national laws and policies in key areas of reproductive health and women's empowerment in seven Anglophone African nations: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. For each country, the report covers laws enacted by legislatures, legal principles developed by courts, and relevant policies issued by government entities such as ministries, administrative agencies, and official councils or commissions. International sources of law in each country are also discussed. The report concludes with an analysis of the status of the laws affecting reproductive health rights, a discussion of regional trends, and a description of regional models of laws and policies that promote reproductive rights. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Overview, International]

This resource is a guide for advocates working to stop FGM, intended to assist with engaging governments by holding them accountable under international human rights law. Characterizing FGM as a violation of the human rights of women and girls has significant consequences for both NGOs and governments. A multi-strategy approach receptive to the efforts of NGOs and international organizations must be guided by respect for the human rights of girls and women, and will promote social participation and economic empowerment as critical practices in establishing accountability for human rights violations. Regional coordination is essential in advancing policies to eliminate FGM, as is the adequate monitoring of national progress.

This briefing paper outlines the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, which was ratified by 15 African governments in 2005. The protocol calls for broad protection for womens human rights, including their sexual and reproductive rights. Concrete suggestions are offered for womens health and rights advocates within and beyond Africa. Detailed information is also provided to help African women use the protocol to exercise their reproductive rights, as well as suggestions for governments to implement the protocols landmark provisions. The paper can also serve as a resource for advocates outside Africa who are seeking to establish similar guarantees. The topics covered by the protocol include reproductive health services, abortion, HIV/AIDS, sexual education, violence against women, and rights within marriage.

This report is based on a study of organizations that work with sex workers in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It begins by analyzing the sex work industry and providing background information on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) trends. The next section focuses on the impact of international human rights treaties, the different regulatory approaches that various countries have taken to sex work and to the human rights of sex workers. After an overview of existing services for sex workers in the region, the report ends with recommendations. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International - Europe]

This study, focused primarily on the province of British Columbia in Canada, examines the discourse on mothering under duress as evidenced by media reports, public policy and the individual experiences of women. Three cases in particular are examined: mothers experiencing mental health issues, mothers suffering domestic violence and mothers who engage in substance use. The authors note that a mother's rights tend to be viewed as subordinate to her child and argue that the mother-child unit should actually be granted rights beyond simply those of each individually. The authors outline a "mothering framework" to be used in developing policies surrounding mothering. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Safe Motherhood, Canada]

The Platform for Action (PFA), which describes itself as "an agenda for women's empowerment," was adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women. It is not a legally binding international treaty or convention. The PFA sets out strategic objectives for countries to achieve and recommends actions that counties should take to achieve these objectives. The following is a non-exhaustive list of actions that have potential relevance to abortion issues. Chapter 4B deals with education and training of women: paragraph 83k recommends that governments and educational authorities remove barriers to sexual and reproductive health education where formal education programmes exist dealing with women's health. Chapter 4C deals with women and health: paragraphs 106a, b, e, f, and h-k; 107a,d, e, and g; 109i, 110a; and 111b recommend actions to be taken that have potential relevance to abortion issues. Chapter 4L deals with the girl-child: paragraph 281c recommends that governments and NGOs take steps to improve health education and health services-including reproductive and sexual programmes-that are appropriate for girls; paragraph 281e recommends that governments and NGOs ensure that girls have access to education and information on inter alia reproductive and sexual health and responsible family planning. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Abortion, International]

This report is designed to assist government departments and agencies as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in monitoring compliance with, and violations of, reproductive and sexual health rights. It is also designed to assist in the development of advocacy manuals, training programmes, and research. The report reviews six international human rights treaties relevant to the protection of reproductive and sexual health rights. Within the review of each treaty and convention, the report contains the full text of the instrument, general recommendations and comments by the treaty monitoring body, and relevant concluding observations by the monitoring committees. Information on concluding observations is organized in accordance with the specific country reports. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights, International]

This report discusses the importance of incorporating a gendered human rights framework when addressing HIV/AIDS issues. The author points to some of the key causes and impacts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (social, economic, political, and demographic). The author also notes that current approaches to HIV/AIDS fail to take gender differences into account and to empower women. The report concludes by listing several recommendations aimed at transforming unequal gender relations through a mainstreamed, coordinated approach to gender and HIV, highlighting the need for collective action and destigmatisation. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International]

This document reviews the spread of the AIDS epidemic, its disproportionate impact upon women and girls, and the failure of governments to enact appropriate policies to respond to this impact. The paper reviews key human rights issues including domestic violence, sexual abuse and the rights of property ownership and links the violations of these rights to the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. The report concludes by outlining key areas of legal reform, policy initiatives, and public education so governments could better respond to the impact of HIV/AIDS on women. The report also includes considerations for international organizations and donors. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International]

"This report is a compilation of investigations by Human Rights Watch from 1990 to 1995 on women's human rights violations. It is based on the work of many staff members and consultants of the Women's Rights Project and the regional divisions of Human Rights Watch, who researched and wrote the initial reports from which the case studies in this volume are adapted". Chapter 7 of the report deals with reproductive and sexual rights in general. In addition, Chapter 7 contains a discussion and analysis of forced virginity exams in Turkey, as well as abortion law in Ireland and Poland. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Overview, International]

This document is the report of the Safe Motherhood Technical Consultation, which was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 18 to 23 October 1997, with participants from 65 countries. The document begins by briefly describing the Safe Motherhood Initiative, which marked its 10th anniversary in 1997. The document then presents programmatic lessons learned over the past decade with regard to the following ten "action messages": 1) advance safe motherhood through human rights; 2) empower women, ensure choices; 3) safe motherhood is a vital social and economic investment; 4) delay marriage and first birth; 5) every pregnancy faces risks; 6) ensure skilled attendance at delivery; 7) improve access to maternal health services; 8) prevent unwanted pregnancy and address unsafe abortion; 9) measure progress; and 10) the power of partnership. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Overview, International]

The International Labour Organization's (ILO) Maternity Protection Convention, was revised at the General Conference of the ILO in June 2000. The new text entered into force on February 2, 2002. The Convention applies to employed women and includes protections relating to the health of pregnant or breastfeeding women, maternity leave, benefits and non-discrimination in employment. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Overview, International]

This fact sheet, produced by Planned Parenthood, presents statistics about unsafe abortions around the world and succinctly discusses such issues as why women choose abortion, factors that determine the safety of abortion, complications resulting from unsafe abortions, and how to prevent unsafe abortions. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Abortion, International]

After a medical discussion of HIV testing of pregnant women and an assessment of testing policies in different provinces, this section of the report focuses on whether pregnancy affects a woman's right to consent to and refuse medical treatment. The author presents five arguments against mandatory testing: (1) it would likely be found unconstitutional; (2) voluntary programs have shown to be effective; (3) voluntary programs establish trust between physicians and patients that is key to women's compliance with their doctors' recommendations; (4) mandatory testing will increase distrust of the public health care system by women in communities disproportionately affected by HIV; and (5) mandatory testing disrespects women by treating them as a means to an end. The author also emphasizes the provision of counselling, to make women aware of the risks and benefits of testing and to enable them to make informed decisions. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, Canada]

The authors of this report examine sexual violence and its consequences for the HIV epidemic. They present a definition of sexual violence and evidence of its prevalence in the world, especially in conflict situations. The authors contend that people are contracting HIV in significant numbers due to sexual violence. They then offer strategies aimed at alleviating the problem of sexual violence at the local, national, and international levels. Strategies discussed include support for the victims, prosecution of perpetrators, as well as social and economic development. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, International]

The focus of this article is the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS infection amongst Canadian women. The author points to a number of factors that put women at greater risk for contracting HIV, including an increased physical susceptibility to infection as well as social or cultural factors that may limit a women's ability to choose safe sex practices. The author describes how Canadian women infected with HIV face a lower survival rate due a decreased likelihood of receiving proper diagnoses and inadequate access to healthcare, amongst other reasons. The author makes a call for more research on this issue and for more focus on the root causes of women's vulnerability, including poverty and discrimination. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, Canada]