Values, Policies and Rights

10 000 abortions done in South Africa per week
The Argus, 3 February 2007

For South Africa's anti-abortion campaigners, 1 February 2007 is a day of sadness and mourning. But for the government and women's rights groups, it was a day for victory and celebration. Ten years ago, on 1 February 1997, the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act came into effect, becoming one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world. Records show a steady access to services nationally and progress towards greater service provision. A 1998-2001 mortality study by the Medical Research Council (MRC) found there was a reduction of up to 91 percent in deaths from unsafe abortions. But detractors such as Doctors for Life and the Christian Action Network continue to decry its existence and have mounted one legal challenge after the next to have it scrapped.

Health and democracy: A guide to human rights, health law and policy in post apartheid South Africa
Hassim A, Heywood M, Berger J: Siber Ink Publishers

This book highlights the key issues that constitute and affect health law in post apartheid South Africa. It is a constructive, precise and detailed book that has innovative ideas on how the law can be used to protect and serve its people more effectively. It examines the South African health system from a rights perspective and makes recommendations for future policy and legislative development. It draws attention to many complex issues linked to health care and goes on to challenge health personnel, policy makers and users of the health system to defend the human right to health.

International Women's Day 2007
IWD, February 2007

Organisations, companies, governments and media all around the world are busy planning exciting and meaningful International Women's Day activities for 8 March 2007. The UN theme for International Women's Day is "Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls".

The state of the world's children
UNICEF, 2007

The State of the World’s Children 2007 examines the discrimination and disempowerment women face throughout their lives – and outlines what must be done to eliminate gender discrimination and empower women and girls. It looks at the status of women today, discusses how gender equality will move all the Millennium Development Goals forward, and shows how investment in women’s rights will ultimately produce a double dividend: advancing the rights of both women and children.

Closing the gap on gender-based violence
Integrated Regional Information Network, 19 January 2007

In a country long sickened by the frighteningly high level of sexual violence, one of the greatest challenges facing South Africa is closing the gap between the rhetoric of gender equality and the reality on the ground. The prevalence of gender-based violence is reflected in stark statistics: between April 2004 and March 2005, 55,114 cases of rape were reported to the police. The number of actual cases was likely much higher, considering only an estimated one in nine women report cases of sexual assault, according to the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC also estimates that a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six hours.

Report by the WHO Director-General to the Executive Board at its 120th session
Chan M, 23 January 2007

The WHO Director General, Mr Chan, said in taking WHO forward in the next two years, it was extremely important to pay particular attention to the rights and needs of especially women and the people of Africa, who faced multiple threats in their access to health care. He reiterated the importance of the Millenium Development Goals, and made a strong link between poverty and health: "Poor health anchors large populations in poverty."

Eight million dying annually: Launch of the "15% Now" Campaign
Africa Public Health Rights Alliance

On the occasion of Human Rights Day 2006, the African Public Health Rights Alliance launches the "15% Now!" Campaign and opens for signature the global petition calling on African leaders to without further delay implement their 2001 Abuja AU Summit pledge to commit fifteen percent of annual national budgets to health in order to end the tragic loss of an estimated 8 million lives annually to preventable, treatable and manageable diseases, illnesses and maladies.

Gender and sexuality overview report
Ilkkaracan P, Jolly S: Bridge Development and Gender

Have development interventions promoted only negative messages in relation to sexuality, ignoring poor people's rights to pleasure, affirmation and joy through sex and sexuality? This Cutting Edge Pack hopes to inspire thinking on this question - with an Overview Report outlining key issues on gender, sexuality and sexual rights in the current climate, a Supporting Resources Collection providing summaries of key texts, tools, case studies and contacts of organisations in this field, and a Gender and Development In Brief newsletter with three short articles on the theme.

Improving the use of research evidence in guideline development: 10. Integrating values and consumer involvement
Fretheim A , Schünemann A, Oxman AD: Health Research Policy and Systems 4:22, 5 December 2006

The World Health Organization (WHO), like many other organisations around the world, has recognised the need to use more rigorous processes to ensure that health care recommendations are informed by the best available research evidence. This is the 10th of a series of 16 reviews that have been prepared as background for advice from the WHO Advisory Committee on Health Research to WHO on how to achieve this.It explores options for integrating values and consumer involvement in research.

Microfinance, intimate-partner violence and HIV
Editorial: The Lancet, 368 (9551), 2 December 2006

The Lancet's current Sexual and Reproductive Health Series encompasses the annual 16 days of campaigning against gender violence that began on November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women. The emphasis is on the connection between violence to women and HIV.

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