This paper is about sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially the issue of unsafe abortion and female genital mutilation. Sexual and reproductive health and rights present the most vital part of every society, and thus should be treated with the highest importance. The selected fields of these rights, unsafe abortion and female genital mutilation, highlight a small part of the possible violation of these same human rights, while at the same time, revealing the gravity of bad practices that stand behind it. The proposed strategies for affecting these issues mainly rely on well-developed international policies, not excluding any of the recognized duty barriers.
The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner provided the list of human rights that imply the sexual and reproductive health and rights, and those are: 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. In addition, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women have clearly defined that women's right to health include their sexual and reproductive health. The human rights that derive from sexual and reproductive health include access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and information as well as autonomy in sexual and reproductive decision-making.
Table of Contents
1 Definition of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
2 Report on Current Global Issues on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Possible Ways for Their Improvement
2.1 The issue of unsafe abortion
2.1.1 The Strategy for Strengthening Prerequisites for Securing the Safe and Legal Abortion
2.2 The Issue of Female Genital Mutilation
2.2.1 The Strategy for Stopping Female Genital Mutilation
3 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The research aims to examine the critical violations of sexual and reproductive health and rights, specifically focusing on the prevalence of unsafe abortion and female genital mutilation. It explores how these issues undermine basic human rights and evaluates potential advocacy and policy-driven strategies to mitigate these practices through international cooperation and improved governance.
- Legal and human rights definitions of sexual and reproductive health.
- Statistical analysis of global unsafe abortion trends and associated legal barriers.
- Evaluation of international strategies to ensure safe and legal abortion services.
- Examination of the socio-cultural and health impacts of female genital mutilation.
- Policy frameworks and advocacy measures for the global elimination of harmful traditional practices.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 The issue of unsafe abortion
Prior to elaborating on this issue, it is necessary to define what a safe abortion is. A safe abortion is an abortion which is performed in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and standards. Those standards, beside the development of the needed state policies, imply numerous guidelines and obligatory actions that range through pre-abortion, abortion and to post-abortion stages. The lack of access to health and reproductive health services and information, contraception and safe abortion care causes the risk of unsafe abortion, putting the women's life and well-being at risk. According to a new study titled, “Global, regional and sub-regional classification of abortion by safety 2010-14: estimates from a Bayesian hierarchical model”, published by authors from the World Health Organisation and the Guttmacher Institute, estimates that of 25 million abortions, 45 percent of all abortions that occurred every year worldwide between 2010-2014 were unsafe. Moreover, the majority of all unsafe abortion occurred in developing countries; in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The new study classifies abortions as 'safe', 'less safe' and 'least safe'. In accordance with the classification methods of the listed study, the 'safe abortion' means that they were performed by a trained health worker, applying the WHO recommended methods. Approximately 55 percent of all abortions occurred from 2010 to 2014 fall within this category. The 'less safe' abortion implies that an abortion was performed by a trained health worker but using the unsafe methods and the amount of these types of abortions, performed from 2010 to 2014, was 30 percent.
Summary of Chapters
1 Definition of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: This chapter provides a conceptual framework for understanding the intersection of human rights with reproductive health, citing international standards and definitions.
2 Report on Current Global Issues on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Possible Ways for Their Improvement: This section investigates the prevalence of specific rights violations and proposes structured advocacy strategies for improvement.
2.1 The issue of unsafe abortion: This chapter analyzes the scale of unsafe abortions globally and examines how restrictive national laws contribute to maternal health risks.
2.1.1 The Strategy for Strengthening Prerequisites for Securing the Safe and Legal Abortion: This section outlines five recommended steps to ensure safe abortion services, including legalization and increased accessibility to healthcare.
2.2 The Issue of Female Genital Mutilation: This chapter explores the negative health consequences and human rights implications of female genital mutilation, highlighting its prevalence and underlying social justifications.
2.2.1 The Strategy for Stopping Female Genital Mutilation: This chapter discusses the necessity of delegitimizing this practice through global advocacy and implementing strict criminal penalties.
3 Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the urgency of addressing reproductive rights violations through a comprehensive approach and consistent international diplomatic pressure.
Key Terms
Sexual and reproductive health, Human rights, Unsafe abortion, Female genital mutilation, Advocacy strategies, WHO guidelines, Reproductive rights, Maternal health, Global policy, Healthcare accessibility, Human rights violation, Public health, Social norms, Legal reform, International standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this assignment?
The assignment focuses on the critical issues of unsafe abortion and female genital mutilation, examining them as significant violations of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
What are the primary themes explored in the text?
The core themes include the definition of reproductive rights, the impact of restrictive abortion laws, the socio-cultural justifications for female genital mutilation, and the role of international policy in addressing these harms.
What is the ultimate research objective?
The objective is to provide a platform for understanding these human rights crises and to propose specific, actionable advocacy strategies that states and international organizations can implement.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The research employs a qualitative analytical approach, utilizing international human rights documentation, World Health Organization guidelines, and statistical studies from sources like the Guttmacher Institute.
What does the main body cover?
The main body systematically details the current status of unsafe abortion and female genital mutilation, analyzes the reasons for their prevalence, and develops comprehensive strategic frameworks for their elimination.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include reproductive health, human rights, unsafe abortion, female genital mutilation, advocacy, legal reform, and international standards.
How does the text classify the safety of abortion procedures?
The text classifies abortions as 'safe', 'less safe', and 'least safe' based on whether they were performed by trained personnel and in accordance with WHO standards.
What is identified as the main obstacle to reducing unsafe abortions?
The author identifies restrictive national laws that criminalize or severely limit abortion as the primary barrier preventing women from accessing safe and legal care.
Why is female genital mutilation considered a violation of children's rights?
It is classified as such because the procedure is predominantly performed between infancy and the age of 15, affecting individuals before they can provide informed consent.
What role do sanctions play according to the conclusion?
The author suggests that international sanctions, such as diplomatic measures, are often the most efficient way to hold states accountable for implementing international obligations regarding reproductive rights.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Peđa Đurasović (Autor:in), 2018, Unsafe abortion and female genital mutilation. A platform for implementation of established international policies, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/505445
