{"id":595,"date":"2017-12-04T14:52:17","date_gmt":"2017-12-04T14:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/odz.sk\/en\/?p=595"},"modified":"2018-03-08T09:25:23","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T09:25:23","slug":"commissioner-for-human-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/odz.sk\/en\/commissioner-for-human-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Commissioner for Human Rights: Progress needed to ensure women\u2019s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commissioner for Human Rights, 4. 12. 2017<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWomen\u2019s sexual and reproductive health and rights are human rights. Regrettably, however, women in Europe still have these rights denied or restricted as a result of laws, policies and practices that ultimately reflect continuing gender stereotypes and inequalities. States must acknowledge and address these violations and resolutely commit to advancing gender equality in this crucial sphere of life\u201d<\/em>, said today Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Mui\u017enieks<\/strong>, while releasing a report on this topic.<\/p>\n

The document provides an overview of states\u2019 obligations under international<\/a> and European<\/a> human rights standards in the field of women\u2019s sexual and reproductive health and rights. It provides examples of shortcomings that European states must address in particular as regards the rights to life, health, privacy, non-discrimination as well as the right to be free from torture and ill-treatment, with a particular focus on comprehensive sexuality education, modern contraception, safe and legal abortion care, and quality maternal health care. <\/p>\n

The Commissioner sets forth 54 recommendations<\/strong> aimed at helping European states address the pressing need to:
\n\u25cf renew political commitment to women\u2019s rights and guard against retrogressive measures that undermine women\u2019s sexual and reproductive health and rights;
\n\u25cf establish health systems that uphold and advance women\u2019s sexual and reproductive health and rights;
\n\u25cf ensure the provision of comprehensive sexuality education;
\n\u25cf guarantee the affordability, availability and accessibility of modern contraception;
\n\u25cf ensure all women\u2019s access to safe and legal abortion care;
\n\u25cf ensure that refusals of care by health care workers on grounds of conscience or religion do not endanger women\u2019s timely access to sexual and reproductive health care;
\n\u25cf respect and protect women\u2019s human rights in childbirth and guarantee all women\u2019s access to quality maternal health care;
\n\u25cf eliminate coercive practices and safeguard women\u2019s informed consent and decision-making in sexual and reproductive health care contexts;
\n\u25cf ensure all women\u2019s access to effective remedies for violations of their sexual and reproductive rights;
\n\u25cf eliminate discrimination in laws, policies and practices and guarantee equality for all women in the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights.<\/p>\n

\u201cSexual and reproductive rights protect some of the most significant and intimate aspects of our lives. Ensuring these rights for women is a vital component of efforts to achieve women\u2019s rights and gender equality. Given the resurgent trends seeking to roll back protections in this field, we must ensure that we remain committed to these rights, which were established only after a long struggle. States have the duty to provide all women with accessible, affordable, good quality sexual and reproductive health care and services\u201d<\/em>, said Commissioner Mui\u017enieks.
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