Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: Key Human Rights Principles

-

Global Dignity Forum (GLODIF) believes that everybody has sexual and reproductive health rights and that States have an obligation under international human rights laws to ensure that everyone can enjoy these rights freely, without fear, coercion or discrimination. Generally, women and girls are the most affected by Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights violations.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, women’s sexual and reproductive health is related to multiple human rights, including the right to life, the right to be free from torture, the right to health, the right to privacy, the right to education, and the prohibition of discrimination. 

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) have both clearly indicated that women’s right to health includes their sexual and reproductive health. This means that States have obligations to respect, protect and fulfil rights related to women’s sexual and reproductive health.

The following are the key human rights principles that underpin States' obligation to respect, protect and fulfil sexual and reproductive health rights:

  • Principle 1:  All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. 

  • Principle 4:  Advancing gender equality and equity and the empowerment of women, and eliminating all forms of violence against women, are cornerstones of population and development-related programmes.
  • Principle 8:  Everyone has the right to enjoy the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health. All couples and individuals have the basic right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information, education and means to do so.
  • Principle 10:  Everyone has the right to education. Education should be designed to strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
  • Principle 11:  Every child has the right to an adequate standard of living, health and education and to be free from neglect, exploitation and abuse.








Location: Accra, Ghana

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Menace of Mob Justice

-
Image
  Recently, G lobal Dignity Forum   has noticed  an upsurge in mob justice  in Ghana . This phenomenon is distinguished by the use of violence to resolve civil misunderstandings or to deal with suspected miscreants such as armed robbers, pick-pockets, rapists, and so on. This method of seeking justice is a significant affront to the rule of law and the administration of justice in the country.    Mob justice is a type of extrajudicial punishment or vengeance in which a suspect is often humiliated, assaulted, and, in many cases, killed by vigilantes or a crowd. Mob  justice denies the suspect or accused a defence in a fair trial. Global Dignity Forum condemns all past and recent acts of violence in the pursuit of justice and equity. Mob justice is a  terrible  form of injustice.  I t is a criminal offence punishable by law  under   the 1992 Constitution  of Ghana .   It violates all  N ational and  I nternati...
Read more

EMBRACING EQUITY: LET'S GIVE WOMEN THE CENTER STAGE!

-
Image
The world has made remarkable progress in the past few years in achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. However, there is still a long way to go. This year's International Women's Day theme, "Embracing Equity," reminds us of the importance of striving for a more equitable world for all, especially women.   Embracing equity requires collective action and the participation of all stakeholders in our communities. As we commemorate this year's International Women's Day, it is essential to ask ourselves what each of us can do to contribute to creating an equitable world for all. How can we embrace equity in our workplaces, homes, and communities? How can we promote women's participation in decision-making processes and ensure that they have equal access to opportunities and resources?   Women continue to face significant challenges, including gender-based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, unequal pay, and underrepresentation i...
Read more

Protecting Environmental Rights: A Matter of Human Dignity

-
Image
As the world continues to grapple with the impact of climate change, it is important to recognize the intersection between environmental rights and human rights. The protection of the environment is not only a matter of preserving our natural resources but also a matter of ensuring the basic rights of all individuals. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their family, including the right to food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Similarly, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change recognizes that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities and that developed countries have a responsibility to take the lead in reducing emissions. Furthermore, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outline specific targets for addressing environmental issues, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable ener...
Read more