16 Days: Does Legal Abortion in the Case of Sexual Violence Meet the Needs of Adolescents?
During the course of my work supporting the expansion and strengthening of abortion services for young women in Latin America and the Caribbean, I have visited many countries where abortion is permitted in only limited circumstances. One such circumstance is when a woman is the victim of sexual assault. In the case of sexual violence, it is necessary to ensure that women are able to receive the services they are legally entitled to, but are often unable to access.
“I have a strong character – when something bothers me, I have to say [something].” said Sugeri. “At home I wasn’t able to speak up. And I knew I wouldn’t be able to get out of there on my own.”
Home should be a place where everyone feels safe from harm, where family members feel comfortable communicating freely. But for women like Sugeri, a 31-year-old mother of two living in Santo Domingo, home was where she felt the most in danger.
Gender-based violence includes any act or threat of physical, sexual, or psychological aggression against a woman. According to the World Health Organization, 1 out of every 4 women reports having been subjected to gender-based violence by an intimate partner. Considering the harmful effects it can have on a woman’s sexual and reproductive health, IPPF/WHR developed a regional project to combat gender-based violence in Latin America and the Caribbean. One result was ¡Basta!
The theme of this year's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women. Militarism is defined by the 16 Days campaign as "an ideology that creates a culture of fear and supports the use of violence, aggression, or military interventions for settling disputes and enforcing economic and political interests." Militarism often has grave consequences for the safety and security of women, who are subjected
Below are news stories, blog posts, and other resources released this week regarding sexual and reproductive health Latin America, North America, and the Caribbean:
16 Days: Profamil Confronts Gender-based Violence in Haiti
In this audio interview IPPF/WHR Senior Program Advisor, Lucella Campbell, explains the process that Profamil, our Member Association in Haiti, went through to implement programs to combat gender-based violence (GBV). Lucella explains what Profamil is doing today and what they need to ensure their GBV programs reach all who need them.
[Image: Clients wait to be seen at PROFAMIL's newest clinic in Port-au-Prince]
Standard Unconstitutional is a Clear Public Health Problem
Last week, the Medical College of Peru and our Member Association INPPARES held a press conference to launch a petition questioning the constitutionality of a law that jeopardizes the sexual and reproductive health and rights of youth.
Below are news stories, blog posts, and other resources released this week regarding sexual and reproductive health Latin America, North America, and the Caribbean:
