A report by UNICEF points out that in all South Asian countries, patriarchal values and social norms keep gender inequalities alive. Discriminatory practices begin even before birth and affect every aspect of a child's future. Throughout the South Asian region inequalities arising from caste, class, religion, ethnicity and location, are further complicated by severe gender-based discriminations that hold back progress and development for both girls and boys.
During COVID-19, sexual and other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls and other people of different gender identities and expressions, increased dangerously and recourse to justice and reparation was severely jeopardized. There was a high degree of intimate partner violence, said Mehta. She cites a report by UNICEF according to which about 37 percent of South Asian women experience intimate partner violence.
"Marea Verde" or "Green Wave" movement for #SafeAbortion rights
"Profound changes have happened in many countries to increase access to safe abortion, and to ensure young people have access to information and education they need on sexual and reproductive health and rights" said Mina Barling, Director of External Relations of International Planned Parenthood Federation.
The "Marea Verde" or "Green Wave" movement for abortion rights has touched the hearts of young people across Latin America. This community-led grassroots movements led by the youth of Latin American nations are demanding the right to bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Landmark progress has happened in Argentina, Thailand, and Mexico in favour of access to safe abortion. For example, Mexico's Supreme Court ruled that "criminalizing abortion is unconstitutional". Likewise, in Benin, Kenya, Ireland, young people are crusading for bodily autonomy and right to sexual and reproductive health and rights powerfully, said Barling.
However, countries like the USA made decisions on bodily autonomy that threaten the gains made on gender equality and human rights. "We all watched with horror what happened in the US with overruling the Roe versus Wade decision, and saw those rights ripped away from women" rued Barling. To recall, in 1973 the US Supreme Court had legalized right to safe abortion in Roe vs Wade case, which was sadly and very unfortunately overruled in June 2022 making access to safe abortion a major challenge.
Will men take responsibility for family planning?
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