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.
Values, Policies and Rights
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.
UN adopts convention on rights of people with disabilities
UN Secretary General, 13 December 2006
This Convention is a remarkable and forward-looking document. While it focuses on the rights and development of people with disabilities, it also speaks about our societies as a whole -- and about the need to enable every person to contribute to the best of their abilities and potential.
Global Fund: Civil society's triumph over Minister Muhwezi and Company
Medicine Access Digest 2 (2) June 2006
The June newsletter of HEPS Uganda outlines civil society poitions on HIV and AIDS fundings, on health rights and on public health policy regarding counterfeit medicines.
Health consequences of child marriage in Africa
Nour NM: Emerging infectious diseases 12 (11) 1644-1649, 2006
Despite international agreements and national laws, marriage of girls under 18 years of age is common worldwide and affects millions. Child marriage is a human rights violation that prevents girls from obtaining an education, enjoying optimal health, bonding with others their own age, maturing, and ultimately choosing their own life partners. Child marriage is driven by poverty and has many effects on girls' health: increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases, cervical cancer, malaria, death during childbirth, and obstetric fistulas. To stop child marriage, policies and programs must educate communities, raise awareness, engage local and religious leaders, involve parents, and empower girls through education and employment.