This report by the World Health Organisation, examines the relationship between neglected diseases and human rights. It argues that neglected diseases are both a cause and consequence of human rights violations, and the failure to respect certain human rights, such as the rights to water, adequate housing, education and participation, increases the vulnerability of individuals and communities to neglected diseases.
Values, Policies and Rights
Neglected diseases: a human rights analysis
Hunt P:World Health Organization , 2007
Social Policy and the Quest for Inclusive Development: Research findings from Sub-Saharan Africa
Adesina JO: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, 1 May 2007
This paper provides a reflective overview of the eight studies commissioned under the UNRISD project on 'Social Policy in Late Industrializers: Sub-Saharan Africa and the Challenge of Social Policy'. The studies involved subregional and thematic social policy concerns. Within this framework, one study was concerned with overall conceptual issues and macroeconomic policy directions, focusing on the dominant or ruling ideas on development that shaped each phase of sub-Saharan Africa’s post-colonial history, and how these ruling ideas shaped economic and social policies. A second set of studies focused on health, water and sanitation dimensions of social policy, while a third examined education and labour market policies. Using comparative techniques, these studies examined clusters of countries in East Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa.
Proposed food labelling laws to promote healthy choices
Appel M, Govender S: BuaNews Online, 27 July 2007
Proposed food labelling regulations which aim to help consumers make healthier choices, are set to revolutionise the eating habits of South Africans. The new draft Regulations Relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs, have been published in the Government Gazette by the Department of Health in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act. They focus on a number of strategies to improve public health, through promoting healthy food choices and improved nutrition by having products which are sold nationally, being labelled with more specifics.
Commonwealth debates why AIDS wears 'the Face of a Woman'
Mulama J: Inter Press Service, 14 June 2007
The issue of women continuing to be at higher risk of HIV infection than men has received considerable attention at a gathering of women's affairs ministers from Commonwealth countries underway in Uganda's capital, Kampala. Of the 53 Commonwealth member states, 38 are represented at the '8th Triennial Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting' (8WAMM), being held under the theme 'Financing Gender Equality for Development and Democracy'. United Nations statistics indicate that women and girls in Commonwealth countries make up a third of all HIV infections. In addition, women between the ages of 15 and 24 in sub-Saharan Africa - the region most prominently represented in the Commonwealth - are two and a half times more likely to be infected than men of the same age.
Conceptual model of HIV/AIDS stigma from five African countries
Holzemer WL, Uys L, Makoae L, Stewart A, Phetlhu R, Dlamini PS, Greeff M, Kohi TW, Chirwa M, Cuca Y, Naidoo J: Journal of Advanced Nursing 58 (6): 541-551, June 2007
This paper is a report on the development of a conceptual model delineating contexts and processes of HIV/AIDS stigma as reported by persons living with HIV/AIDS and nurses from African countries. It is part of a larger study to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS stigma.
Ethical and regulatory issues surrounding African traditional medicine in the context of HIV and AIDS
Nyika A: Developing World Bioethics 7(1): 25-34, April 2007
It has been estimated that more than 80% of people in Africa use traditional medicine (TM). With the HIV/AIDS epidemic claiming many lives in Africa, the majority of people affected rely on TM mainly because it is relatively affordable and available to the poor populations who cannot afford orthodox medicine. Whereas orthodox medicine is practiced under stringent regulations and ethical guidelines emanating from The Nuremburg Code,1 African TM seems to be exempt from such scrutiny. Although recently there have been calls for TM to be incorporated into the health care system, less emphasis has been placed on ethical and regulatory issues. In this paper, an overview of the use of African TM in general, and for HIV/AIDS in particular, is given.
Progress towards gender equity in SADC - The draft SADC Protocol on Gender and Development
Phiri P, 2007
Governments in southern Africa are moving with zeal to address social challenges faced by women. The SADC member states view education for women and girls as a sticking point for achieving this cause. For this reason, an ambitious leap to put together the SADC gender protocol is on course.
Public Enquiry into the Right to have Access to Healthcare Services, 1 June 2007
South African Human Rights Commission, June 2007
The South African Human Rights Commission's public inquiry into health care services concluded the open hearings phase on 1 June 2007. The Commission put together a programme that created space for all who needed to be heard, on the right of everyone to access health care services as provided for in the Bill of Rights. Several organisations made submissions
South Africa: Synthesis report on the right to have access to healthcare services
Ntuli A, South African Human Rights Commission, June 2007
The SAHRC embarked upon provincial assessments in all nine provinces in preparation for a national enquiry into the right to have access to health care. This report provides a synthesis of the findings and main themes emerging from those assessments.
The Right to Health: Part of a series of the Human Rights Programme of the CETIM
Centre Europe-Tiers Monde (CETIM)
An international order responsible for widespread inequalities and poverty prevents the realisation of the right to health. The affirmation of health as a human right and the definition of its relation to other human rights are essential to clarify the obligations of those involved in its realisation. This brochure discusses: the right to health and its implementation.