• Advances in Fighting Maternal Death

    In a recent report Human Rights Watch analyzed India's maternal health policies in Uttar Pradesh state, which has one of the highest maternal death rates in India. One of our most important findings was that the government was not tracking the problem closely enough - and understanding the scope and underlying causes of the problem is the first step toward solving it.

    After analyzing the data, we recommended that the government track all pregnancy outcomes, investigate the causes of deaths and monitor access to emergency obstetric care. We also urged the creation of a complaints system for women and their families to register grievances and access reparation for harm caused.

    A new study in the medical journal The Lancet says the number of women dying from pregnancy and childbirth is dropping worldwide. That's good news! But there is still much more to be done. The study estimates that only 23 countries are on track to meet international goals for reducing maternal death rates. It also notes that HIV/AIDS has slowed progress in reducing maternal deaths, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Like Human Rights Watch, the authors of the Lancet article call for reforming healthcare systems and "delivery of interventions to women when and where they need them." Over the last six years, countries like Sri Lanka and Malaysia have managed to halve their maternal mortality numbers. By putting in place the right measures, we believe that other countries - including India -- should be able to do the same.

  • Brazil: Supreme Court Abortion Ruling a Positive Step
    Apr 19, 2012

    The ruling by Brazil’s highest court on April 12, 2012, expanding exceptions from criminal penalties for abortion is a positive step toward protecting women’s human rights.

  • Malaysia: Reverse Ban on Sexual Diversity Festival
    Nov 8, 2011
    The Malaysian government should immediately rescind a police-imposed ban on the fourth annual Seksualiti Merdeka festival and adopt measures to protect all Malaysians from discrimination. The “sexual diversity” festival, which has been held since 2008 without incident or interference from government authorities, was scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from November 9 to 13, 2011.
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Reports

Sexual and Reproductive Health

  • The Paradox of Losing Life While Giving Life in Africa
    May 25, 2012
    Giving life is a leading cause of death of women and girls in Africa. And in the last 20 years, few African countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, have made enough progress in bringing down the number of maternal deaths.
  • Maternal mortality under scrutiny
    May 4, 2012
    Since the 1990s South Africa has not reduced the number of women who die needlessly each year from preventable and treatable causes linked to pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Brazil: Supreme Court Abortion Ruling a Positive Step
    Apr 19, 2012

    The ruling by Brazil’s highest court on April 12, 2012, expanding exceptions from criminal penalties for abortion is a positive step toward protecting women’s human rights.

  • A sick system abuses its refugees
    Mar 18, 2012

    South Africa's tourism website describes the country as the "land of good times and friendly people". Sadly, Araya Y, a pregnant Somali refugee living in Port Elizabeth, did not experience this side of the country. Instead, when she went to a government district hospital in July 2010 to give birth, she was abused by medical staff and denied care. 

  • Letter to UN Special Rapporteurs on Involuntary Sterilization of Women and Girls with Disabilities
    Mar 9, 2012
    An alarming number of women and girls with disabilities have been, and continue to be, denied their rights to experience their sexuality, to have sexual relationships and to found and maintain families through the practice of forced sterilization.
  • Memorandum of Support for New York State Bill S.323/A.1008
    Feb 27, 2012
    Human Rights Watch submits this memorandum in support of S.323/A.1008, which would change the current law by explicitly prohibiting the introduction of condoms as evidence of prostitution and prostitution-related offenses in certain criminal and civil proceedings. Amendment of the existing law is essential to promoting both public health and human rights.
  • Hope for BC at BC?
    Feb 8, 2012

    When I went to college, I chose a highly regarded university with a strong tradition as a Jesuit institution. I was pleased with my undergraduate education at Boston College, but I still lament that my alma mater denies students access to contraceptive services through its health system.  

  • Universal Periodic Review of South Africa
    Jan 20, 2012

    South Africa has failed to clarify its position on the 22 recommendations made during the first UPR cycle in 2008 – making the assessment of the implementation problematic.  South Africa should clearly communicate its responses and commitments on all recommendations made during its second UPR cycle. 

  • Written Testimony for Hearing on Prostitution-Free Zone Amendment Act of 2011
    Jan 19, 2012
  • Sweden: Letter to the Prime Minister Regarding Transgender Law
    Jan 14, 2012
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