Blog

Blog

We welcome guest blogs from across the sexual and reproductive health and rights community. If you are interested in submitting a blog to SRHM, please read our guest blog guidelines here and get in touch with us at info@srhm.org.

Please note that blog posts are not peer-reviewed and do not necessarily reflect the views of SRHM as an organisation.

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 PolicyUnsafe 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 approximately […]

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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 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 the peer-reviewed journal Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. The […]

Blog Press Release SRHM in the news
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 […]

Blog SRHM Staff Blog
Human Rights Day: Calling for a greater sense of accountability for SRHR

Human Rights Day: Calling for a greater sense of accountability for SRHR

10 December, 2019

On Human Rights Day 2019, SRHM is calling for a greater sense of accountability for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all, backed by a growing research and evidence base on gender equality and human rights. Together we can further advance a progressive SRHR agenda, providing the greatest hope and a powerful bulwark […]

Blog Resources
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 […]

Blog Press Release
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 […]

Blog Resources
SRHM in the news: Domestic political alliances with conservative forces in the US is costing women their health at home and abroad

SRHM in the news: 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 […]

Blog SRHM in the news
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 […]

Blog Book review Guest Blog
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
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 […]

Blog Resources
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 […]

Blog Resources
On World Contraception Day we call for the reclassification of emergency contraception
SRHM in the news: Inside the illegal abortion market: ‘I nearly touched hell’

SRHM in the news: 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 […]

Blog SRHM in the news
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, […]

Blog Resources
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 […]

Blog Book review
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 […]

Blog Resources
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? […]

Blog Guest Blog
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 […]

Blog Book review Guest Blog
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 […]

Blog Guest Blog
Framing reproductive justice in the context of institutionalized transphobia globally
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 […]

Blog Guest Blog
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 […]

Blog Guest Blog
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 […]

Blog Resources
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 […]

Blog Press Release
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 […]

Blog Guest Blog
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 […]

Blog Resources
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 […]

Blog Guest Blog
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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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 […]

Blog SRHM Staff Blog
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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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 […]

Blog SRHM Staff Blog
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 […]

Blog Press Release
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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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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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 […]

Blog Publications SRHM news SRHM Staff Blog

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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Reflecting on the Sheen case: HIV criminalisation and prosecution papers

17 November, 2015

On November 17th 2015) the public had the unedifying experience of watching a Hollywood star, Charlie Sheen, ‘confess’ to his HIV positive status. He has already effectively been ‘outed’ by salacious newspaper columnists in the United States, UK and elsewhere. A personal health issue, that should have been a private matter has been turned into a festival of […]

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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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Acquittals in the FGM case in London: justice was done and was seen to be done, but what now?

10 February, 2015

Marge Berer – Editor, Reproductive Health Matters 10th February 2015 This was a case that should never have been allowed to happen. While female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice and needs to stop, the UK government, politicians from David Cameron on down, and especially the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Director of Public Prosecutions […]

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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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Reproductive Health Matters Congratulates Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on his appointment as the new WHO Director-General 2

29 November, 2010

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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