We must not forget…
…humanitarian crises intensify sexual and reproductive health related challenges, and the need for family planning services and supplies becomes more acute in emergency settings.
…women and girls affected by armed conflict and natural disasters are at increased risk of unintended pregnancy, maternal morbidity and mortality.
…ensuring that women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights are fulfilled is not considered a priority in humanitarian interventions and lack funding. However, SRH services can be life-saving in emergencies.
…greater donor and government commitments and funding are critical to meeting the fierce demand from crises-affected women and girls.
On International Women’s Day, the Belgian C2030 partner, Sensoa, organized a Parliamentary event, also marking the one-year anniversary of the She Decides movement. The discussions echoed that there is an overwhelming gap in delivering sexual and reproductive health services in emergency settings. Systemic changes are needed.
“In too many contexts, she has actually never decided anything. Telling her that she decides without giving her the foundation upon which to do so, could be naïve at best – and irresponsible at worst. We cannot raise expectations of autonomy and agency without providing a foundation for this to actually happen.” Lina Abirafeh, Director of the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World at the Lebanese American University in Lebanon and She Decides Champion’s message was clear.
Read the full article here.
