Translations:Course-v1:edz+11+22/en/block-v1:edz+11+22+type@html+block@7b6c0ff9393346fcb34c3b8177605038/content/en
Global access to and information about reproductive and sexual health care for women and girls is a fundamental part of addressing the Gender Health knowledge gap, including topics like:
Period poverty and justice
<img height="100%" width="100%" src="/static/World_Menstrual_Hygiene_Day_celebration_by_Satirtha-_The_Helping_Hand_a_non_profit_organization_in_India.jpg" alt="Girls at an awarness event for Menstrual Hygeine Day" />
Girls celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day in Assam State in India. Destigmatizing and getting access to n menstrual hygiene information and knowledge can empower young people who menstrate, and ensure their full participation in society (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World_Menstrual_Hygiene_Day_celebration_by_Satirtha-_The_Helping_Hand_a_non_profit_organization_in_India.jpg" target="[object Object]">Image on Commons</a>).
Period poverty describes the economic and social impacts of lack of access to affordable menstrual products and related services that enhance the dignity and rights for people who menstruate i.e. access to water and sanitation. Period poverty is a significant problem, particularly in developing countries. Menstruating people face this issue every month, making it a prominent focus on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_Hygiene_Day" target="[object Object]">Menstrual Hygiene Day</a>, observed on 28 May each year.
Similarly, menstruation has many associated cultural practices; menstruating individuals often face ostracization from basic activities, such as consuming specific foods or participating in social interactions.
Both the cultural shaming associated with menstruation and lack of resources, can create barriers that prevent individuals from attending school and engaging in daily work. In this case, not only the scientific research about menstruation needs communicating, but also the description of how society responds to it has the potential to impact menstruating individuals around the world.
Interested in learning more, read about <a href="https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/justicia_menstrual_version_digital.pdf " target="[object Object]">Menstrual Justice as described by the Government of Argentina</a>.
Abortion
Sexual and reproductive health has unequal burdens on all gestating individuals. For example, each year about 7.9% of obstetric deaths can be attributed to unsafe abortion, and among the most affected are those living in poverty and/ or belonging to some other marginalized groups. Almost all deaths from unsafe abortion occur in countries where abortion is severely restricted in law and/ or in practice. Despite recommendations by human rights and health care communities to decriminalize abortion, <a href="https://reproductiverights.org/maps/worlds-abortion-laws/" target="[object Object]">only 36% women of reproductive age live in countries that have legalized abortion on request.</a>
The <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Women/WRGS/SexualHealth/INFO_Abortion_WEB.pdf" target="[object Object]">Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) has explained </a>that “Violations of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, such as criminalization of abortion, denial or delay of safe abortion and/or post-abortion care, and forced continuation of pregnancy, are forms of gender-based violence that, depending on the circumstances, may amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”
<img width="100%" src="/static/Abortion_acess_map.png" alt="Screenshot of a map representing abortion access " />
A screenshot of a map representing the laws for abortion access <a href="https://reproductiverights.org/maps/worlds-abortion-laws/" target="[object Object]">globally from Reproductiverights.org</a>.