Abortion politics in Poland: a conversation about the Constitutional Tribunal’s decision with Wanda Nowicka, Member of the Polish Parliament & SRHM Editorial Advisory Board

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Abortion politics in Poland: a conversation about the Constitutional Tribunal’s decision with Wanda Nowicka, Member of the Polish Parliament & SRHM Editorial Advisory Board

Abortion politics in Poland: a conversation about the Constitutional Tribunal’s decision with Wanda Nowicka, Member of the Polish Parliament & SRHM Editorial Advisory Board

11 November, 2020

On 22 October 2020, the Polish government ruled in favour of a near total ban on abortions – even though the country already had one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. The ban would apply to cases of severe fetal anomaly which account for 98% of abortions carried out in Poland. The controversial court […]

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Exporting Harm: Impact of the expanded Global Gag Rule on sexual and reproductive health and rights

Exporting Harm: Impact of the expanded Global Gag Rule on sexual and reproductive health and rights

21 October, 2020

On October 21, 2020, we launched our latest special issue in collaboration with Columbia University: Exporting Harm: Impact of the expanded Global Gag Rule on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The webinar included presentations from Center for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities (CREHPA) in Nepal, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) […]

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Protecting girls from sexual violence in schools: recognizing their rights to education, health and autonomy

Protecting girls from sexual violence in schools: recognizing their rights to education, health and autonomy

14 October, 2020

In August 2020, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights decided the case of Paola Guzmán Albarracín v. Ecuador, which establishes standards to protect girls from sexual violence and harassment in schools. The ruling also holds Ecuador responsible for failing to protect an adolescent student from the sexual violence she suffered in school. The Court’s judgment, […]

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L’Afrique Francophone: Quelles priorites en sante sexuelle et reproductive?

L’Afrique Francophone: Quelles priorites en sante sexuelle et reproductive?

8 October, 2020

Le 8 octobre, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) et l’association Ensemble pour la Santé de la Reproduction (ESR) ont organisé un webinaire pour le lancement de la nouvelle édition de la revue SRHM francophone « Questions de Santé Sexuelle et Reproductive ». Le thème de cette dernière est : L’Afrique Francophone : Quelles priorités […]

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Looking back and pushing forward: Radically shifting how we work, learn, and think  about sexual and reproductive health globally

Looking back and pushing forward: Radically shifting how we work, learn, and think  about sexual and reproductive health globally

2 October, 2020

Written by Emily Harris, a Master of Public Health student at the University of Waterloo. She also holds a Master of Arts in globalization and international development with a concentration in women’s studies. She is passionate about the intersection of health and reproductive rights and has worked in different capacities with institutions that aim to promote […]

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Couples’ Contraceptive Behavior and COVID-19: Understanding the Impact of the Pandemic on Demand and Access

Couples’ Contraceptive Behavior and COVID-19: Understanding the Impact of the Pandemic on Demand and Access

24 September, 2020

Written by Sneha Sharma, Senior Research and Program Associate (ICRW ASIA); Sharmishtha Nanda, Technical Specialist (ICRW ASIA); Kuhika Seth, Technical Specialist (ICRW ASIA); Aishwarya Sahay, Research Associate (ICRW ASIA) and Pranita Achyut, Director-Research and Programs (ICRW ASIA)[1] Our lives have radically changed since the onset of the pandemic at the beginning of the year. COVID-19 […]

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Adolescent Girls and Young Women Have a Right to Know: Accessing Information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Wake of Covid-19

Adolescent Girls and Young Women Have a Right to Know: Accessing Information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Wake of Covid-19

24 September, 2020

Written by Kerigo Odada, human rights lawyer who specialises in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and currently serves as a Board Member of The Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights. For many adolescent girls and young women around the world, adolescence marks not only the commencement of puberty, but also a time where […]

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Accessing safe abortion services amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Accessing safe abortion services amid the COVID-19 pandemic

23 September, 2020

In commemoration of Safe Abortion Day on September 28, this blog signposts some of the papers that have appeared in the SRHM journal on abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic.   As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread around the globe and healthcare systems faced unprecedented demand, many experts warned of the possible consequences this crisis could […]

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Francophone Africa: What priorities in sexual and reproductive health?

Francophone Africa: What priorities in sexual and reproductive health?

22 September, 2020

In September 2020, SRHM partners, the Moroccan non-governmental organisation All for Reproductive Health/Ensemble pour la Santé Sexuelle et Reproductive (ESR) and the National School of Public Health (ENSP), published the 6th edition of the French SRHM Journal – Questions de Santé Sexuelle et Reproductive. Read the journal issue here   One month prior to the […]

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Ethics in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research during COVID-19

Ethics in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research during COVID-19

14 September, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the need to collect most up to date and evidence-based information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), that can help governments and others to respond to the challenging and emerging situation. However, ethical considerations in SRHR research, such as setting priorities, respecting confidentiality, privacy, informed consent, being inclusive […]

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Sexual Pleasure in Times of COVID-19

Sexual Pleasure in Times of COVID-19

4 September, 2020

For World Sexual Health Day on September 4, SRHM, in collaboration with the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) and The Pleasure Project, co-organized a webinar on sexual pleasure in times of COVID-19. Watch the recording below. SPEAKERS Anne Philpott, The Pleasure Project Dr. T Mofokeng, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health Vithika […]

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As COVID-19 soars in Latin America, digital innovations offer women and girls a lifeline

As COVID-19 soars in Latin America, digital innovations offer women and girls a lifeline

20 August, 2020

Written by Pilar Montalvo, Senior Program Officer, Planned Parenthood Global Latin America Program   When Elena* first realized she was pregnant, her first reaction was fear. Not the nervous jitters experienced by many first-time parents—but true terror. Her domestic partner, who had forbidden her to use contraception, was using drugs and was prone to violence […]

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How covid-19 increased the need for family planning in India

How covid-19 increased the need for family planning in India

11 August, 2020

A paper titled Impact of covid-19 on family planning services in India, published in the SRHM journal said the figures paint a grim picture of limited family planning service provision and increase in unmet need for family planning. THE BELOW IS TAKEN FROM COVERAGE OF THE SRHM PAPER IN LIVEMINT.COM https://www.livemint.com/news/india/how-covid-19-increased-the-need-for-family-planning-in-india-11594800689091.html   NEW DELHI: At a time […]

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Interview with SRHM’s Editor in Chief: Dr Julia Hussein

Interview with SRHM’s Editor in Chief: Dr Julia Hussein

23 July, 2020

Julia Hussein – Editor in Chief Julia has 30 years of professional experience as an obstetrician, public health practitioner, development worker, researcher, writer and scientific editor. She has worked with non-government organizations, universities, funding agencies, governments and the United Nations in several countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. She now prefers […]

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Struggles for reproductive rights: strategies for de-stigmatizing abortion in Ireland and Poland

Struggles for reproductive rights: strategies for de-stigmatizing abortion in Ireland and Poland

20 July, 2020

Written by Elżbieta Korolczuk and Pauline Cullen Anti-abortion groups often claim that their aim is to protect women from the alleged negative consequences of abortion, but in practice, they continuously stigmatize women who undergo this procedure. In anti-abortion propaganda, abortion is portrayed as a deviation from the norm, as something shameful and immoral, or as […]

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Same-sex marriage: Costa Rica celebrates while Chile backs down

Same-sex marriage: Costa Rica celebrates while Chile backs down

9 July, 2020

Written by Dinka Benítez Piraino On May 26, 2020, same-sex civil marriage came into effect in Costa Rica, becoming the first country in Central America and one of 29 countries in the world to recognize it. In contrast, nearly 30 countries around the world punish lesbianism and homosexuality with prison sentences and even death. In […]

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Africa’s policies hold key to LGBT rights on the continent: here’s how

Africa’s policies hold key to LGBT rights on the continent: here’s how

7 July, 2020

As authors concluded in their recent SRHM paper, Regional legal and policy instruments for addressing LGBT exclusion in Africa, regional policy documents such as “The African Charter” offer African countries that don’t protect LGBT rights the basis to draft domestic legislation as the first step to protection to all. The below is taken from coverage […]

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Self Managed: A New Podcast Mobilizes Digital Storytelling to Destigmatize & Demystify Self Managed Abortion
Protecting contraceptive access amidst COVID-19; don’t let the past divert us from meeting today’s needs

Protecting contraceptive access amidst COVID-19; don’t let the past divert us from meeting today’s needs

16 June, 2020

By John Skibiak John Skibiak is the Director of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, the world’s largest voluntary network of reproductive health organizations, working with health systems, manufacturers, distributors, providers and educators to increase access to a range of quality-assured, affordable contraceptive methods.   Women should have access to the contraception they need, when they […]

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Universal Health Coverage and SRHR during COVID-19 and beyond
COVID-19 increases vulnerabilities for asylum seeking and refugee women in South Africa

COVID-19 increases vulnerabilities for asylum seeking and refugee women in South Africa

9 June, 2020

Written by Jane Freedman, Tamaryn Crankshaw and Marcia Mutambara Our recent article in SRHM highlighted the vulnerabilities of asylum seeking and refugee women in South Africa to gender-based violence, and their lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services. The current COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to significantly worsen these women’s situation and leave […]

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Sharing Menstruation Stories to Promote Human Rights

Sharing Menstruation Stories to Promote Human Rights

28 May, 2020

Written by Ellen McCammon Managing menstruation in India can be difficult. It may be marked by challenges with obtaining, cleaning, storing, and disposing of menstrual supplies, and insufficiently private, safe, and clean bathrooms [1]. In addition to the logistical and resource-based difficulties with managing the physical experience of menstruation, there are also emotional, and psychological […]

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OPTions Hackathon: Fueling innovation for next generation methods of abortion

OPTions Hackathon: Fueling innovation for next generation methods of abortion

28 May, 2020

Novel methods of abortion could benefit women worldwide, however abortion largely remains an untapped field of innovation. Currently there are two main methods of abortion, manual vacuum aspiration and medical abortion. The introduction of medical abortion (mifepristone and misoprostol) revolutionized abortion care, providing women greater autonomy and ease of abortion administration; yet, it still has […]

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The Law and Self-Managed Abortion during COVID19 and Beyond

The Law and Self-Managed Abortion during COVID19 and Beyond

26 May, 2020

Written by Patty Skuster, Senior Legal Advisor, Ipas While governments around the world reform laws to make abortion less restrictive, self-managed abortion—ending a pregnancy without formal supervision by a health-care provider, often with pills—remains unauthorized in most countries. The Policy Surveillance Program at Temple University School of Law, USA and Ipas released new data that […]

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Obstetric Fistula at the time of COVID-19: Let’s not forget those “most left behind”!

Obstetric Fistula at the time of COVID-19: Let’s not forget those “most left behind”!

23 May, 2020

Written by Erin Anastasi, Coordinator, Campaign to End Fistula & Technical Specialist at UNFPA in New York, USA and Kevin Nalubwama, fistula survivor, Midwifery student, journalist, Operation Fistula Expert Client Advisor and informal advisor to the Campaign to End Fistula in Kampala, Uganda Alone, uncertain and afraid, this crisis alienating and isolating them at the […]

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The Mess in Texas: Litigating COVID-19 Abortion Restrictions

The Mess in Texas: Litigating COVID-19 Abortion Restrictions

18 May, 2020

Rachel Rebouché & Adrienne Ghorashi Over the last six weeks, abortion access in the state of Texas has been unclear at best and unavailable at worst. Dueling court orders between a federal trial court and the region’s federal appeals court lifted the suspension of almost all abortions – deemed by the state as “non-essential” healthcare […]

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The impact of Covid-19 on young people’s access to contraceptives and contraceptive services
SETTING UP AN SRHM SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL HUB AND REGIONAL JOURNAL EDITION: ADVANCING RIGHTS AND EVIDENCE-BASED KNOWLEDGE CREATION LOCALLY

SETTING UP AN SRHM SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL HUB AND REGIONAL JOURNAL EDITION: ADVANCING RIGHTS AND EVIDENCE-BASED KNOWLEDGE CREATION LOCALLY

7 April, 2020

Written by Shreshtha Das, Consultant for SRHM Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM, formerly Reproductive Health Matters) has long been considered as a truly global open access peer-reviewed Journal.  It has, however, always been much more than a journal. A broader commitment has been manifested in the translation of selected papers into seven language editions […]

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Covid 19: a wake-up call to eliminate barriers to SRHR

Covid 19: a wake-up call to eliminate barriers to SRHR

31 March, 2020

Written by Christina Zampas, human rights lawyer and Associate Director of Global Advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights Barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services have always existed but the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the stark reality of these barriers. The general population across the globe is now experiencing what […]

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Covid-19: What implications for sexual and reproductive health and rights?
Covid-19 Shines a Light on South Africa’s Stark Inequalities

Covid-19 Shines a Light on South Africa’s Stark Inequalities

24 March, 2020

Written by Sarah Pugh, Independent Consultant, Cape Town, South Africa On Sunday, 15 March, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national State of Disaster, encompassing measures such as visa bans, travel restrictions, school closures and the restriction of gatherings over 100 people. The first case of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 was reported on 5 […]

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Malta’s medical doctors: No to total ban on abortion

Malta’s medical doctors: No to total ban on abortion

21 February, 2020

Contrary to the long-held general perception that most doctors in Malta support the current legislation, the SRHM study, Abortion and methods of reproductive planning: the views of Malta’s medical doctor cohort, provides evidence that this is not the case The below is taken from an article covering the SRHM paper in Malta Today by Gilbert […]

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Grant Opportunity: Innovations that put women in control of where, when, and how they terminate their pregnancy

Grant Opportunity: Innovations that put women in control of where, when, and how they terminate their pregnancy

10 February, 2020

“Women’s rights are human rights. This includes sexual and reproductive rights — and the right to access safe and legal abortions.” Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy  Unsafe abortion is one of the top causes of global maternal mortality, and it is entirely preventable. Every year, there are more than 25 million unsafe abortions, resulting in […]

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Early Abortion Bans: A new wave of anti-abortion strategy and tactics

Early Abortion Bans: A new wave of anti-abortion strategy and tactics

19 January, 2020

On Thursday 16 January 2020 SRHM held a webinar to discuss a new wave of anti-abortion strategy and tactics that has been sweeping across the United States and has begun influencing anti-abortion strategy globally. In this webinar, we welcomed Dabney Evans and Subasri Narasimhan to introduce their paper, “A narrative analysis of anti-abortion testimony and legislative debate […]

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Pro-lifers exploiting civil rights struggles in bid to ban abortions, says new SRHM research

Pro-lifers exploiting civil rights struggles in bid to ban abortions, says new SRHM research

7 January, 2020

Press release by Taylor and Francis Read the media coverage by TIME, Newsweek, and The American Prospect. New research launches as state legislatures begin reconvening where bans are likely to be introduced Anti-abortionists ‘appropriating’ laws that protect same-sex couples and Black citizens   Pro-lifers are using civil rights protections to lobby against early abortions, according to research published in […]

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END OF YEAR MESSAGE AND SEASONS GREETINGS FROM SRHM

END OF YEAR MESSAGE AND SEASONS GREETINGS FROM SRHM

19 December, 2019

It has been a year of significant achievements for SRHM and for the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) community as a whole. Along with the SRHR community, in 2019 we commemorated the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, culminating in the Nairobi ICPD25 summit in November. We acknowledge and […]

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Human Rights Day: Calling for a greater sense of accountability for SRHR
Women in Nepal still forced to sleep outside in ‘menstruation huts’, despite practice being criminalised, finds SRHM study

Women in Nepal still forced to sleep outside in ‘menstruation huts’, despite practice being criminalised, finds SRHM study

10 December, 2019

    Press release by Taylor and Francis Despite being criminalised in 2018, an estimated 77% of girls in mid-Western Nepal are still being forced to sleep outside in “menstruation huts” during their period, according to a new study published today in Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. All around the world, girls and women suffer […]

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16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

25 November, 2019

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.  The extent of violence against women and girls across the world is alarming and is […]

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Domestic political alliances with conservative forces in the US is costing women their health at home and abroad

Domestic political alliances with conservative forces in the US is costing women their health at home and abroad

18 November, 2019

THE BMJ OPINION Domestic political alliances with conservative forces in the US is costing women their health at home and abroad The Trump administration’s ideological commitment to the domestic anti-abortion lobby is endangering women across the Americas, say Hani Serag et al   SRHM article, Power and Politics in International Funding for Reproductive Health: the […]

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ICPD25: Accelerating accountability for SRHR

ICPD25: Accelerating accountability for SRHR

8 November, 2019

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, where 179 governments adopted a landmark Programme of Action which set out to empower women and girls for their sake, and for the benefit of their families, communities and nations. We have made incredible gains since then, but […]

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Interview with the author – Beyond Virtue and Vice: Rethinking Human Rights and Criminal Law

Interview with the author – Beyond Virtue and Vice: Rethinking Human Rights and Criminal Law

27 October, 2019

Eszter Kismődi, Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) interviews Mindy Roseman, Director of International Law Programs and Director of the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women’s Rights at Yale Law, and SRHM associate editor, about her new book, Beyond Virtue and Vice: Rethinking Human Rights and Criminal Law. The book engages […]

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Infanticide: A question of government accountability for providing contraception and safe abortion services

Infanticide: A question of government accountability for providing contraception and safe abortion services

22 October, 2019

Written by: Soukeyna Diallo, Juriste, Member, Comité de plaidoyer pour l’accès à l’avortement médicalisé, and l’Association des Juristes Sénégalaises; Heidi Moseson, Epidemiologist & Associate, Ibis Reproductive Health Ramatou Ouedraogo, Post-doctoral research scholar/Anthropologist, African Population Health Research Center Amy Sakho, Chargée de Programmes et de Communication, Association des Juristes Sénégalaises; Coordonnatrice, Comité de plaidoyer pour l’accès […]

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Pleasurable sex as a human right: an idea that has happily caught up to its constituents

Pleasurable sex as a human right: an idea that has happily caught up to its constituents

10 October, 2019

By Christopher Purdy, President and CEO of DKT International. The Monty Python film, “The Meaning of Life”, includes an opening scene where a couple talk about sex.  In this entertaining exchange, Mr. and Mrs. Blackitt discuss how they can use contraception during sex to avoid pregnancy, raising an eyebrow from his wife who points out that […]

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Gender justice perspectives of criminal abortion laws: exploring the connections to universal health coverage

Gender justice perspectives of criminal abortion laws: exploring the connections to universal health coverage

10 October, 2019

On Tuesday 8 October 2019 SRHM held a webinar  to discuss the gender injustice perspectives of criminal abortion laws, the importance of using  public health evidence in challenging criminalization of abortion, and exploring ways to connect these important discourses to the universal health coverage (UHC) agenda.     We welcomed the authors of two important […]

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Rights and evidence-based knowledge on safe abortion matters!

Rights and evidence-based knowledge on safe abortion matters!

27 September, 2019

We are very grateful to Liza Caruana-Finkel for collaborating on this blog post. Liza is a sexual and reproductive health and rights researcher and activist currently based in the UK.   Rights and evidence-based knowledge on safe abortion matters! The 28th of September is International Safe Abortion Day. It is a day of action: when […]

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On World Contraception Day we call for the reclassification of emergency contraception

On World Contraception Day we call for the reclassification of emergency contraception

25 September, 2019

Written by Verity Pooke, ESRC PhD Candidate in Social Policy at the University of Kent, and Clare Murphy, Director of External Affairs at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service   The focus of World Contraception Day is to improve awareness of all contraceptive methods available and enable everyone to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive […]

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Inside the illegal abortion market: ‘I nearly touched hell’

Inside the illegal abortion market: ‘I nearly touched hell’

12 September, 2019

Bhekisisa Health Inside the illegal abortion market: ‘I nearly touched hell’  By Wendy Muperi Zimbabwe’s tight abortion laws aren’t curbing demand, they’re driving them underground — and it’s about to get worse. SRHM article, Perceptions of misoprostol among providers and women seeking post-abortion care in Zimbabwe by M Catherine Maternowska, Alexio Mashu, Precious Moyo, et […]

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World Sexual Health Day

World Sexual Health Day

4 September, 2019

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) has a visible and declared commitment to sexual health and sexual rights.  We firmly believe that the recognition of sexual health and sexual rights cannot be optional in the reality of today’s world. It is central for everyone, and it “Matters”! We are committed to publishing research and evidence, […]

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Interview with the author – Cyber Sexy: Rethinking Pornography

Interview with the author – Cyber Sexy: Rethinking Pornography

3 September, 2019

Eszter Kismődi, Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) interviews Richa Kaul Padte on her book Cyber Sexy: Rethinking Pornography. This interview took place at reconference- rethink, reimagine, reboot– a global conference organised by CREA. Cyber Sexy is a book about pornography and online sex cultures in South Asia and beyond and was published on […]

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World Refugee Day: Advancing SRHR in humanitarian crises

World Refugee Day: Advancing SRHR in humanitarian crises

20 June, 2019

Each year, the number of people affected by humanitarian emergencies continues to increase. Addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of people affected by such emergencies is a global issue of critical importance. The respect, protection and fulfilment of sexual and reproductive rights of those affected by humanitarian crisis requires evidence and human rights-based action […]

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Where change is possible: the Panzi Model, advocating for holistic, integrated care for survivors of conflict related sexual violence

Where change is possible: the Panzi Model, advocating for holistic, integrated care for survivors of conflict related sexual violence

19 June, 2019

Written by Dominique Vidale-Plaza, Gender Based Violence Specialist, Mukwege Foundation   While the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) has become a hot-topic issue in recent years, victims still remain largely without access to critical, and in some cases, life-saving assistance. Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly CRSV[1], must cope with […]

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The Politics and Possibilities of Scale

The Politics and Possibilities of Scale

15 June, 2019

Written by the Community for Understanding Scale Up (CUSP) Read the recent paper by the authors, On the CUSP: the politics and prospects of scaling social norms change programming How is meaningful impact defined in international development? Does it mean reaching “W” number of people? Conducting “X” trainings? Spending “Y” amount of money? Improving “Z” indicators? […]

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Interview with the author – Testosterone: An Unauthorized Biography

Interview with the author – Testosterone: An Unauthorized Biography

11 June, 2019

Eszter Kismődi, Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) interviews Katrina Karkazis, anthropologist, bioethicist and SRHM editorial advisory board member, on her upcoming book, Testosterone: An Unauthorized Biography, co-authored with Rebecca Jordan-Young. This interview took place at reconference- rethink, reimagine, reboot– a global conference organised by CREA.  The book will be out in […]

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To Bleed or Not to Bleed? Why We Need to Integrate Menstrual Health in our Sexual and Reproductive Health Work

To Bleed or Not to Bleed? Why We Need to Integrate Menstrual Health in our Sexual and Reproductive Health Work

27 May, 2019

By Maria Carmen Punzi (PSI/Europe), Odette Hekster (PSI/Europe), Chelsea Polis (Guttmacher Institute), Rubina Hussain (Guttmacher Institute) and Amanda Berry (Guttmacher Institute) Image by Kimber Beck (www.bimberkeck.com) Menstruation profoundly affects the way women and girls experience life, form their identities and make decisions about their bodies and sexualities. Despite how important menstruation is throughout girls and […]

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Framing reproductive justice in the context of institutionalized transphobia globally

Framing reproductive justice in the context of institutionalized transphobia globally

20 May, 2019

Written by Naomhán O’Connor, Communications Officer, GATE (Global Action for Trans* Equality) Historically, the movement for reproductive rights and justice hasn’t been the most trans-inclusive space. Reproductive justice is, in essence, about the right to have a child, or to not have a child. For trans and gender diverse people, this goes beyond access to […]

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Meet the Midwife: An interview by Ruby Irene Pratka with Mesayi Truye, Ethiopia

Meet the Midwife: An interview by Ruby Irene Pratka with Mesayi Truye, Ethiopia

5 May, 2019

This interview was conducted by Ruby Irene Pratka, a freelance journalist currently working with Cuso International as a volunteer communications advisor for the Midwives Save Lives (MSL) project in Africa. MSL, a four-year initiative in Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Tanzania led by Cuso International in partnership with the Canadian Association of […]

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Challenges for achieving sexual and reproductive justice in South Africa

Challenges for achieving sexual and reproductive justice in South Africa

2 May, 2019

Written by Marion Stevens, Director, Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition   Reproductive Justice is defined by three principles: The right to have child; the right not to have a child; and the right to parent children in safe and healthy environments. Twenty years after the evolution of the concept in the United States, the government of […]

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Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

30 April, 2019

April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Over the past month we have shared relevant papers from Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) journal on our social media platforms, with the aim of raising public awareness about sexual assault. We have grouped these papers here for easy access. SRHM acknowledges that sexual assault is not limited […]

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SRHM in Chinese

SRHM in Chinese

19 April, 2019

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) aims to promote laws, policies, research and services that meet women’s sexual and reproductive health needs; to examine experiences, values, issues and information from the point of view of the women whose lives are affected; to motivate improvements in policy, services and practice; and to inspire new thinking and […]

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Press release: Current policies to protect girls at risk of genital mutilation are invasive and traumatising, study finds

Press release: Current policies to protect girls at risk of genital mutilation are invasive and traumatising, study finds

18 April, 2019

Current policies to protect girls at risk of genital mutilation are invasive and traumatising, study finds Press release by Taylor & Francis Press & Media Relations team. Current policies aimed at protecting European African girls at risk of genital mutilation – including compulsory genital examinations and persistent questioning by police – can be invasive and traumatic for […]

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Fecundity in Art

Fecundity in Art

1 April, 2019

Written by Vincent Fauveau, Montpellier, France, former UNFPA adviser for maternal health and rights at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)   TIME FOR CULTURE: A WORLDWIDE TOUR OF REPRESENTATIONS OF FECUNDITY IN ART THROUGH THE AGES AND ACROSS CULTURES   “My professional life has been mostly spent in the area of international maternal and […]

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The Right To Truth for Intersex People

The Right To Truth for Intersex People

23 March, 2019

Written by Mauro Cabral Grinspan, Executive Director of GATE, an international organization working on gender identity, sex characteristics and, more broadly, on bodily diversity issues.   One night some years ago, I woke up from a nightmare with a recurrent thought pulsing in my mind. When I was five years old two inguinal hernias had […]

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International Women’s Day: Protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights
Zero Discrimination day: The Elimination of Stigma and Discrimination in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Zero Discrimination day: The Elimination of Stigma and Discrimination in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

28 February, 2019

Zero Discrimination day: The Elimination of Stigma and Discrimination in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care In many countries, laws result in people being treated differently, excluded from essential services or being subject to undue restrictions on how they live their lives, simply because of who they are. Such laws are discriminatory—they deny human rights and […]

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Val Resh: Where structure failed, art painted many waves.

Val Resh: Where structure failed, art painted many waves.

15 February, 2019

Reshma Valliappan aka Val Resh is Founder-Director of The Red Door, India. An Ashoka and Ink Fellow, Resh teaches sex-gender education with a focus on empathy and emotional health for boys and girls in community schools. She is also a painter, published writer, mime artist, speaker, and the protagonist of an award-winning documentary ‘A Drop […]

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RHM becomes SRHM: Name change Q&A

RHM becomes SRHM: Name change Q&A

13 February, 2019

In February 2019, Reproductive Health Matters (RHM) changes its name to Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM). Sexual health and rights have always been a part of the discourse of RHM, and we wished to fully represent the breadth and extensiveness of sexual health and rights, and reproductive health and rights, in our name. We […]

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International day of women in science: Experiences of SRHM interns in global health and SRHR
Life from Skin: Gattaca 2.0

Life from Skin: Gattaca 2.0

6 February, 2019

Written by Judit Sándor, Professor at the Central European University, Budapest, Director of the Center for Ethics and Law in Biomedicine   When a social scientist reads professional articles written by biomedical researchers on stem cells, she always encounters acronyms (such as ES/iPS, PGCs, hES, VSELs, PGCs) by which the various sources of stem cells […]

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Is the future of abortion online?

Is the future of abortion online?

28 January, 2019

RHM article Cytotec in Brazil: ‘At least it doesn’t kill’ (1993) by Margareth Arilha and Regina Maria Barbosa has been cited in two articles in The Conversation: Is the future of abortion online?, and a French article, Avorter « en ligne » pour contourner les législations restrictives (Abortion “online” to circumvent restrictive legislation).  The RHM paper is used to show that long before the […]

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End of year message and Seasons Greetings from RHM

End of year message and Seasons Greetings from RHM

20 December, 2018

With 2018 coming to a close and a new year almost upon us, this seems a good time to reflect on the events of the year. And what a year it has been for RHM! RHM celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this month in London, joined by supporters and friends, old and new. The panel […]

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Family Planning in Humanitarian Crises: Essential, Wanted, Needed and Possible

Family Planning in Humanitarian Crises: Essential, Wanted, Needed and Possible

12 December, 2018

Reproductive Health Matters (RHM) recently attended and exhibited at the fifth International Family Planning Conference in Kigali, Rwanda from 12-15 November 2018. The theme for this year’s conference was “Investing for a Lifetime of Returns.” This year, there was a strong theme of humanitarian crises running through the conference sessions. RHM spoke to several members of the The […]

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The Ethics of Genome Editing

The Ethics of Genome Editing

7 December, 2018

Written by Judit Sándor, Professor at the Central European University, Budapest, Director of the Center for Ethics and Law in Biomedicine   The Chinese medical researcher, He Jian-kui reported in late November that the first babies had been born with edited genomes. The scientific world seems less than enthusiastic1. The proud scientist announced that Lulu […]

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World Aids Day: Eliminating stigma and discrimination

World Aids Day: Eliminating stigma and discrimination

1 December, 2018

In commemoration of the 30th  Anniversary of World AIDS Day, RHM welcomes the news that a Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination will be launched on December 10 – Human Rights Day 2018 – and commits to publish and promote research which contributes to the elimination of stigma […]

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Mumbai Hospitals’ Darkest Secret on Family Planning Revealed

Mumbai Hospitals’ Darkest Secret on Family Planning Revealed

28 November, 2018

A RHM research article, Identifying disrespect and abuse in organisational culture: a study of two hospitals in Mumbai, India, has obstetricians from government-run hospitals in Mumbai confessing to coercing women into sterilisation after their second child. Chillingly, so-called ‘consent’ is usually obtained when they are in labour. Read the full article from Mid-Day

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SVRI: Advancing research on violence against women and violence against children in low and middle income countries

SVRI: Advancing research on violence against women and violence against children in low and middle income countries

26 November, 2018

Written by Elizabeth Dartnall, SVRI and Anik Gevers, Independent Consultant. The SVRI With over 6000 members, the SVRI (Sexual Violence Research Initiative) is one of the largest global networks for advancing research on violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC). Founded in 2003, the SVRI brings together a diverse group of actors aiming […]

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SRHR and Family Planning: An interview with Mike Mbizvo from the International Conference on Family Planning 2018

SRHR and Family Planning: An interview with Mike Mbizvo from the International Conference on Family Planning 2018

19 November, 2018

Reproductive Health Matters (RHM) recently attended and exhibited at the fifth International Family Planning Conference in Kigali, Rwanda from 12-15 November 2018. The theme for this year’s conference was “Investing for a Lifetime of Returns.” RHM spoke to Mike Mbizvo, Country Director of Zambia for the Population Council and Trustee for RHM about the emerging themes […]

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Disrespect and abuse in maternal care: addressing key challenges

Disrespect and abuse in maternal care: addressing key challenges

1 November, 2018

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MATTERS (RHM) publishes its 53rd journal issue Disrespect and Abuse In Maternal Care: Addressing Key Challenges. The issue, edited jointly by Gita Sen, Bhavya Reddy, Aditi Iyer and Shirin Heidari, highlights concerns about abusive, disrespectful and neglectful treatment of women before, during and after childbirth in healthcare systems, and examines this problem through […]

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Intersex human rights: clinical self-regulation has failed

Intersex human rights: clinical self-regulation has failed

25 October, 2018

Written by Morgan Carpenter, GATE, New York, USA; Intersex Human Rights Australia; and Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Australia.   The New York Times recently disclosed that the Trump administration may seek to redefine gender to refer to two unchangeable biologically-determined sex categories [1]. As can be seen in many of the responses […]

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Youth-centred research to help prevent and mitigate the adverse health and social impacts of pregnancy amongst young people in PNG

Youth-centred research to help prevent and mitigate the adverse health and social impacts of pregnancy amongst young people in PNG

23 October, 2018

Written by Dr. Stephen Bell, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Australia* Associate Professor Angela Kelly-Hanku, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Australia; and PNG Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), Goroka, PNG  This blog is presented on behalf of the authorship team of this recently published article. *Corresponding author: sbell@kirby.unsw.edu.au   Despite persistent international attention, adolescent pregnancy remains a […]

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MY experience of the Together For Yes (TFY) campaign

MY experience of the Together For Yes (TFY) campaign

10 October, 2018

Written by Emma Campbell: Artist, activist, lapsed academic and Abortion Nerd®, all of which she throws into her role as Co-Chair for Alliance for Choice. Learning from previous generations of feminist artists and activists, she illuminates the structural inequalities that face abortion seekers and activists through education, art, campaigning and disruption.   The 25th of May 2018 […]

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The Right to Safe Abortion in South Africa: A Clinician’s Experience

The Right to Safe Abortion in South Africa: A Clinician’s Experience

27 September, 2018

Written by Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng: Abortion provider for 11 years, consultant at Nalane for Reproductive Justice and SRHR expert with a focus on policy, health communications and advocacy. It is 2:14 a.m. on a Friday. I receive an email, with the subject line “Please respond” written in capital letters. I read the body of the email and […]

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Sexual Health and Sexual Rights: Celebrating World Sexual Health Day

Sexual Health and Sexual Rights: Celebrating World Sexual Health Day

4 September, 2018

In 2010, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) called all their organisations to celebrate, on each September 4th, World Sexual Health Day in an effort to promote a greater social awareness on sexual health across the globe.The theme for 2018 is ‘Sexual health and sexual rights are fundamental for wellbeing’. Reproductive Health Matters promotes […]

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‘MARD’ fights for women doctors facing harassment

‘MARD’ fights for women doctors facing harassment

20 August, 2018

Following a study from Kolkata published in the RHM Journal, Experiences of Sexual Harassment of Women Health Workers in Four Hospitals in Kolkata, India,  an initiative has been launched by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) team to help female doctors facing sexual harassment. Read the full article by Times of India

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Strong coordination and partnerships are key to building the evidence base for SRH in humanitarian settings
Scientific evidence does not support HIV criminalization laws: An interview with Justice Edwin Cameron

Scientific evidence does not support HIV criminalization laws: An interview with Justice Edwin Cameron

2 August, 2018

From the AIDS 2018 Conference held in Amsterdam, twenty of the world’s leading HIV scientists launched an evidence-based consensus on 25 July 2018 that systematically refutes the rationale for laws that criminalize HIV transmission. The “Expert Consensus Statement on the Science of HIV in the Context of Criminal Law”and an accompanying editorial were published in the Journal of […]

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Imagery, visibility and disability

Imagery, visibility and disability

23 July, 2018

Written by Lizzie Kiama, Founding Director at This-Ability. She is based in Nairobi, Kenya.   Bodies are where we put our theories of social justice into practice. It therefore follows that the categories in which bodies are placed, willingly or unwillingly, need to be subject to careful critique. In a society driven by narrow, visual […]

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SRHR Voices from AIDS 2018

SRHR Voices from AIDS 2018

22 July, 2018

Reproductive Health Matters recently attended the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam. The theme of AIDS 2018 is “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges”, drawing attention to the need of rights-based approaches to more effectively reach key populations. This year, the conference has also emphasized the need to join the SRHR and HIV response specifically. “Poor sexual […]

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Using Free Speech to Undermine Women’s Reproductive Health and Rights: A Brief Analysis of the Latest U.S. Supreme Court Case Supporting Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Using Free Speech to Undermine Women’s Reproductive Health and Rights: A Brief Analysis of the Latest U.S. Supreme Court Case Supporting Crisis Pregnancy Centers

17 July, 2018

Written by Nina Sun, Global Advocacy Advisor at the Center for Reproductive Rights.   Access to evidence-based, unbiased and scientifically accurate health information is one of the foundational pillars of medical ethics, as well as the right to health. While this is important in any interaction with the health system, access to accurate information is […]

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UN Poverty Report Hits the Mark on the USA but Almost Misses the Boat on Sexual and Reproductive Rights
The 8th has been repealed successfully and decisively, but what next?

The 8th has been repealed successfully and decisively, but what next?

7 June, 2018

Written by Dr Ben Kasstan (Research Fellow, University of Sussex) and Ms Anamaria Bejar (Director of Advocacy at International Planned Parenthood Federation, UK; Research student, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) On Friday, 25 May 2018, voters in Ireland unanimously decided to repeal article 40.3.3 inserted into the Irish constitution by its Eighth Amendment, which, […]

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Taking a Life-Course Approach to Women’s Sexual Health

Taking a Life-Course Approach to Women’s Sexual Health

10 April, 2018

RHM research, Gender norms as health harms: reclaiming a life course perspective on sexual and reproductive health and rights, shows that “older women tend to withhold information about their sexual health needs to health care providers or do not seek out sexual health services” which impacts sexual wellbeing as a key component of sexual and reproductive health care. […]

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Humanitarian crises: advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights

Humanitarian crises: advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights

25 December, 2017

Reproductive Health Matters is pleased to present its latest journal issue Humanitarian crises: advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights All articles are available open access via our journal website: www.rhmjournal.org TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORIAL: Care with dignity in humanitarian crises: ensuring sexual and reproductive health and rights of displaced populations Monica Onyango, Shirin Heidari […]

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Director’s End of Year Message

21 December, 2017

Time flies! It is hard to believe that already a year has passed since I wrote my blog summarising 2016. It is time to review 2017. This year started with dismaying news for the SRHR movement: the re-enactment of the Global Gag Rule, a backward policy that will have far-reaching consequences for many people around […]

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Gendered bodies and reproduction in the Arab countries and Turkey

Gendered bodies and reproduction in the Arab countries and Turkey

9 November, 2017

RHM is pleased to present its latest journal supplement, “Gendered bodies and reproduction in the Arab countries and Turkey”. TABLE of CONTENTS Editorial: Gendered bodies and reproduction in the Arab countries and Turkey  Jocelyn DeJong and Shirin Heidari Health research in a turbulent region: the Reproductive Health Working Group Jocelyn DeJong, Huda Zurayk, Cynthia Myntti […]

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Disability and Sexuality: claiming sexual and reproductive rights

Reproductive Health Matters Congratulates Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on his appointment as the new WHO Director-General

26 May, 2017

RHM would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Tedros on his appointment as the new Director-General of the World Health Organization. We note with support Dr. Tedros’ commitment to ensuring that the well-being of women, children and adolescents is placed at the centre of global health and development. Further, we urge Dr. Tedros to […]

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End of Year Message from the Director

28 December, 2016

2016 has been a turbulent year, with conservative forces gaining ground and causing women growing anxiety over lingering threats to their reproductive rights. The year also offered a few occasions for celebration: we joined in solidarity with our Polish sisters when they succeeded in stopping a proposed law which, if passed, would have made all […]

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The tip of the iceberg – intimate partner homicide

8 December, 2016

Heidi Stöckl is a lecturer in social epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Associate Editor at Reproductive Health Matters. A video interview with the author is now available online. Anna V was 36 years old when she and her seven-year old son Anton were murdered by her ex-partner and father of their […]

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RHM is transitioning to a fully Open Access (OA) publishing model

6 December, 2016

In January 2017, RHM journal is moving to a new publisher, Taylor&Francis, and transitioning to a fully Open Access (OA) publishing model, meaning all current and back articles for publication will be available online, free of charge, for anyone to read. What this means for RHM authors RHM will continue its long tradition of publishing themed […]

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The state of global politics: moving beyond despair to concerted HIV activism

1 December, 2016

Laura Ferguson is Associate Director of the Program on Global Health & Human Rights, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Global Health at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Associate Editor at Reproductive Health Matters. World AIDS Day is a time for reflection, remembrance and re-energizing efforts to address […]

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International Day of Trans Visibility – a statement by GATE

31 March, 2016

Today, March 31st, Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE) calls for collective and critical reflection as we honor the International Day of Trans Visibility. Undoubtedly, individual and community visibility has been a key strategy to build trans* social and political movements. Visibility has played a central historical role in the ongoing work to transform our […]

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Season’s Greetings from RHM

21 December, 2015

Seasons Greetings from Shirin Heidari, RHM Director and Editor With the Holiday Season upon us, I want to reflect on the year that has passed and those who have made our progress and success possible. 2015 marked the transition to a new era for RHM. There has been a change in leadership, with Marge Berer […]

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Anti-Abortion Violence, USA: A Hate Crime against Women

20 December, 2015

A guest blog by Marge Berer, Coordinator of the International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) clinic in Colorado Springs, USA, provides cancer screening, STD tests and treatment, breast exams, contraception and abortion, mostly to women. On 27 November an armed gunman entered the clinic, apparently walking […]

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From rhetoric to reality: opportunities and threats to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender responsiveness for disabled people in post-conflict and post-crisis settings

16 November, 2015

A guest blog by Laura Dean, Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine   “If a woman with hearing impairment is raped by soldier, it is difficult enough as it is but she is also unable to communicate. How many of the structures that help tackle violence against women and girls are […]

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Remembering Savita: a round up of articles on her death, its causes and impact

28 October, 2015

On the third anniversary of the preventable death of Savita Halappanavar we have collated some of the pieces on the law, policies and practices that resulted in her death; and a range of views on the new Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, the Irish government’s response to the tragic death. Termination of pregnancy as emergency obstetric care: the […]

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Intersex Awareness Day – best of the blogs

27 October, 2015

For Intersex Awareness Day 2015 – my pick of interesting articles which capture a range of different perspectives on intersex awareness, education and activism. You might be interested to note that the CMS on this blog underlines both intersex and Intersex as spelling mistakes. Maybe this tells us something about intersex (in)visibility.   Education and awareness […]

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Mapping sex work policy across the globe

21 September, 2015

A guest blog by Amy Hall, Institute of Development Studies Sex work is an issue which has divided feminists for decades, with the debate often focused on the law and how it should apply in the safest way. It is argued, including by sex workers’ organisations, that the best way is through decriminalisation. Some favour regulation, […]

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Where There Is No Doctor: community-based medical care for survivors of sexual violence

5 August, 2015

A guest blog by Mihoko Tanabe, senior program officer, sexual and reproductive health program, Women’s Refugee Commission Community health workers (CHWs) forge a river to cross from Thailand into Myanmar (Burma), laden with rape kits and several months of medical supplies. They trek through the dense jungle for two or three days before finally arriving in […]

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Accepting the global reality of ‘self-help’ abortions

21 July, 2015

A guest post by Marge Berer Co-ordinator International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion originally posted on the Berer Blog Taking medical abortion pills at home to have an abortion, mostly before ten weeks of pregnancy, though not always, is happening in most countries across the world, and each year more than ever. It is […]

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Academic lawyers publish draft IHR-compliant abortion legislation for Ireland #repealthe8th

14 July, 2015

A guest blog post by Dr Ruth Fletcher r.fletcher[at]qmul.ac.uk “First, and perhaps most importantly, we were determined to design a law that would regulate abortion in Ireland by primary reference to the bodily integrity, welfare, agency, autonomy and self-determination of pregnant women” On 29th June @feministsatlaw, an open access journal, published draft abortion legislation for […]

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Sister: An Intimate Portrait of a Global Health Crisis – film review

21 May, 2015

A film by Brenda Davis. 2014. 86 minutes. Multiple languages with English sub-titles. A review by Sarah Rudrum Woman and child, Tigray, Ethiopia Following the challenging work of health care providers in Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Haiti, Sister introduces personal stories that illustrate factors contributing to ongoing high rates of maternal mortality. In Tigray, Ethiopia, Goitom […]

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Landmark decision in Uganda in case of maternal death is a cause for celebration

18 May, 2015

A guest blog by Sarah Rudrum When I wrote my dissertation about the social organization of maternity care and birth in Amuru, northern Uganda, it began with an account of a legal case spearheaded by The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD). The case alleged that government had violated the human rights of […]

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Communication in Conflict: Research Findings from a Latin American Public Health Project

6 May, 2015

A Guest Blog Post by Erica Nelson, PhD, Independent Consultant – originally published by Healthy Teen Network Estimados colegas, this post is directed at those of you working to improve the sexual and reproductive health of Latino teens, to share the research findings from a Latin American public health project. Proyecto CERCA, or “Community Embedded […]

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A Quiet Inquisition

26 March, 2015

A film by Holen Sabrina Kahn and Alessandra Zek, Chicken & Egg Pictures, 2014 (65 min), in Spanish with English subtitles A review by Marge Berer This is a film about Daniel Ortega’s betrayal of Nicaraguan women. Made over a period of several years, this documentary film features the experiences of young, rural, pregnant women […]

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Message from the new RHM Director and Editor, Dr Shirin Heidari

9 March, 2015

Dear friends of Reproductive Health Matters, It is a privilege to join RHM as the Journal’s new editor and director of the organisation. The honour is combined with the great responsibility attached to replacing an outstanding predecessor. Marge Berer, the founder of RHM, has been an excellent editor and a tireless advocate for sexual and […]

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Equitable policy to attain universal reproductive health: the example of Cuba

16 December, 2014

Written by Jonathan Broad (MBChB, MClinEd), Research Associate in Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol. Jonathan Broad has an interest in global health and the social circumstances, particularly in childhood, which underpin lifelong health inequalities.   I read with great interest Sundari Ravindran’s call for advocacy against neoliberal globalisation and its damaging effect on reproductive health through […]

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