March global sexual health news round up
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS
*Research shows rise in demand for abortion by South African teens after school holidays: On March 2, The Mercury (South Africa) reported on new research from Marie Stopes South Africa showing a 40% rise in demand for abortion services by teens after the winter and summer school holidays. The article did go on, however, to observe that greater numbers of young people were more aware ofsafe services and fewer were resorting to backstreet unsafe abortion.
*Teen pregnancy rates rise in UK for first time in five years: On March 5 and 6, widespread British media outlets reported the release of conception figures for 2007, which showed a rise in the rate for the first time in five years. Many media outlets noted that the number of births had remained static however, implying that more teens were opting for abortion. A spokesperson for Marie Stopes International said: “Hopefully this means that these young women have aspirations for themselves, rather than becoming mothers at 15 or 16 years of age. These ae young girls who have found themselves in a situation and have decided to deal with it, and we should not be judging or condemning them for that.”
*Australia overturns abortion aid ban: On 10 March, Agence France Presse (France) and all major print and broadcast outlets in Australia reported on the Australian Government’s decision to end a controversial ban on funding overseas family planning agencies which provide abortion. Numerous agencies, including Marie Stopes International Australia had been calling on the Australian government to act following US President Barack Obama’s decision to end a similar ban in the USA in January.
*More young women coming forward for cervical screening in UK: On 14 March, The Independent (UK), The Northern Echo (UK) and other British media reported on the UK government’s decision to review the case for lowering the age for the cervical screening programme to commence in England from 25 to 20 following the tragic high profile coverage of reality TV star Jade Goody’s battle with terminal cervical cancer. The experience of Ms Goody had prompted a national campaign initiated by Marie Stopes International to bring England into line with the rest of the UK, which starts screening at 20.
Kansas legislature passes abortion restrictions: The Associated Press reported March 17 that the Kansas Senate had passed a bill that would impose new restrictions on abortion providers, including a requirement that they make available ultrasound images or sonograms for women seeking abortions. The Kansas City Star (USA) reported March 27 that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, had signed the measure into law.
“Personhood” bill debated in North Dakota: The Associated Press reported March 17 that the North Dakota Senate was debating House Bill 1573, which would extend the legal definition of personhood to fertilized eggs. Fargo Senator Tom Fiebiger opposed the change, saying it would make it tougher for doctors to treat complications associated with pregnancy because the fetus and the mother would have equal status under the law
Teen birthrate increases for second consecutive year: The Washington Post (USA) reported March 18 on the recent finding that both regional and national rates of teenage pregnancies rose in 2008 for the second consecutive year. Following decades of decline, “we've now had two years of increases," said Stephanie J. Ventura of the National Center for Health Statistics, which issued the report. "We may have reached a tipping point. It's hard to know where it's going to go from here."
*Obama ends contraceptive ban in Africa: On March 19, Africa News and other media reported that US President Barack Obama had reversed a decision by his predessor to ban the supply of US funded contraceptives to seven African based family planning organisations. The ban had initially disrupted the supplies to MSI Partners in Zambia, Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. MSI Chief Executive Dana Hovig praised the new US head of state’s “policy reversal [which] is the latest example of the Obama administration’s commitment to put people before politics.”
Pope condemns violence against women, legal abortion: The Associated Press reported March 21 that during a visit to Angola on his recent tour of six African countries, Pope Benedict XVI condemned sexual violence and discrimination against women and girls, but added that he was particularly concerned with the "irony of those who promote abortion as a form of 'maternal' health care." The Pope was referring to an African Union agreement signed by Angola and 44 other countries that abortion should be legal in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is endangered.
Tennessee senate approves amendment restricting abortion: The Associated Press reported March 24 that the Tennessee Senate voted to change the state constitution so that the legislature might impose restrictions on abortion previously deemed unconstitutional. In an effort to derail the proposal, Senator Doug Jackson (D-Dickson) proposed an unsuccessful amendment that would have allowed future General Assemblies to enact laws necessary to ensure a woman the right to abortion if her life is in jeopardy.
Judge rules FDA must reconsider restrictions on Plan B access: NPR reported March 24 and the Washington Post (USA) reported March 23 that Federal District Court Judge Edward Korman ruled that the FDA must allow 17-year-old girls access to the so-called morning after pill (Emergency Contraception) without a prescription. Further, the agency must reconsider its ruling that over-the-counter access to the pill should have age limits at all. Korman found that the FDA’s restrictions on women’s access to emergency contraception were motivated by “political and ideological” concerns. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights called the ruling “A very clear indictment of the politics in women's reproductive health decisions during the Bush administration.”
U.S. restores funding for UNFPA: The Associated Press reported March 25 and UN News Centre reported March 12 that the recently-released $50 million US contribution to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund will allow the agency to “maintain its life-saving work, particularly improving maternal and reproductive health in the world’s poorest communities, especially during this financial crisis,” according to UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid. The funds were included in the 2009 omnibus spending bill recently signed by President Barack Obama.
Economic crisis puts focus on reproductive health care: The Associated Press reported March 25 and NPR reported March 19 that family planning providers are reporting an increase in women seeking services, including subsidized family planning and abortions. However, that also means that "We're seeing a receptivity among our legislators to hear about prevention policies," said Lori Lamerand, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Mid- and South Michigan. "Folks who wouldn't have opened the doors to a Planned Parenthood representative are now willing to talk to us."
*Abortion clinics to advertise on British television: On March 25, The Daily Telegraph (UK), The Independent (UK), The Evening Standard (UK) and most national newspapers and broadcast outlets in the UK reported on the The Broadcasting Committee on Advertising Practice and the Committee on Advertising Practice’s joint decision to launch a consultation into allowing agencies offering counseling and information on abortion to advertise on television and radio. The review will also look at allowing advertising of condoms before the current 9pm watershed. The proposals were criticized by opponents of abortion and welcomed by proc-choice agencies. Julie Douglas from Marie Stopes International welcomed the initiative as a progressive move to help deal with teenage pregnancy. “I don’t know if we could afford to do it on prime time TV,” she said, “but it would be a very interesting thing to do.”
Public commentary deadline nears on HHS “conscience clause”: The Christian Science Monitor (USA) reported March 26 that the period for public comment on revising the sweeping Health and Human Services Department’s “conscience clause,” enacted on the last day of President George W. Bush’s term, was set to expire April 9. Gretchen Borchelt, senior counsel for the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), said the current rule would let providers opposed to contraceptives withhold birth control from patients by failing to define abortion and “basically allowing individuals' beliefs about what constitutes abortion to take precedence."
Spain’s proposed abortion law reform sparks debate: The Guardian (UK) reported March 28 that the Spanish government’s effort to liberalize abortion laws has fostered public disputes between supporters and conservatives, led by the Catholic Church. "It's inconceivable that in Spain, which has some of the most progressive laws in the world, women are still being treated like children," said gynecologist Dr. Isabel Serrano, a member of the State Network of Feminist Organizations.
*Scottish women lose right to free pregnancy testing: On March 28, Aberdeen Press and Journal (UK) and Aberdeen Evening Express (UK) reported that free NHS pregnancy testing in parts of Scotland were to be scrapped as part of a cost cutting measure. Patients would now be expected to pay for urine-based tests over the counter, although some could still access blood tests for pregnancy. A spokesperson for Marie Stopes International said the policy was “regrettable”. “it’s a very basic service that should be available on the NHS via a GP.”
Amid rise in sexual violence, Brazil debates abortion: The New York Times (USA) reported March 28 that Brazil is paying new attention to increased reports of sexual violence following a recent highly publicized case in which the Catholic Church excommunicated doctors for performing an abortion on a nine-year old girl who was raped by her stepfather. The church rigidly opposes abortion in all cases and supports efforts to criminalize abortion in Brazil, where restrictions are already among the tightest in Latin America. “A part of Brazilian society still doesn’t want to stop treating women like they are property,” said Jefferson Drezett, a gynecologist and coordinator of services for sexual-abuse victims at Pérola Byington Hospital. “This has to change.”
UNFPA director urges focus on population and development: Xinhua (China) reported March 31 that Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, urged the international community to recommit financial and political will toward poverty reduction and population issues. "The financial crisis is now threatening to wipe out this hard-won progress in improving health and reducing poverty. Relatively small reductions in financing could lead to a loss in momentum that could take decades to repair," Obaid said.
HIV & AIDS
AIDS activists, medical journal and others condemn Pope’s remarks: The Associated Press reported March 27 and The Toronto Star (Canada) reported March 17 on reactions by The Lancet (UK) medical journal and leading HIV/AIDS activists to a recent claim by Pope Benedict XVI that condom distribution contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Lancet demanded the Pope retract the statement, arguing that anything less would be “an immense disservice to the public and health advocates, including many thousands of Catholics, who work tirelessly to try and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide.” The Canberra Times (Australia) published an editorial on March 21, The Times (UK) published an editorial and CNN.com (USA) published a column by Roland Martin on March 18 also condemning Pope Benedict’s claim. The Times (UK) wrote, “Many devout Catholics are convinced that the Vatican must amend its position on AIDS. They are right. The scientific process of observation and evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of condoms in preventing AIDS.”
WOMEN’S EQUALITY
Clinton says women’s rights should be a priority: The Associated Press reported March 28 on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent address to the national conference of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America in Houston, TX, where she accepted the organization’s Margaret Sanger Award. Clinton said, “A society that denies and demeans women's rights and roles is a society that is more likely to engage in behavior that is negative, anti-democratic and leads to violence and extremism.”
EDITORIALS AND COLUMNS
The New York Times (USA) published an editorial March 17 applauding a provision in the 2009 omnibus spending bill that restores incentives for pharmaceutical companies to supply contraceptives to Planned Parenthood clinics, college health services and other family planning centers at reduced costs. Since the original incentive was eliminated, it said, “Washington’s dawdling in making the simple fix has had a stark effect, driving up the price of brand-name contraceptives on some college campuses from about $5 per month to $40 or even $50 a month.”
The Washington Times (USA) published an op-ed by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) on March 17, highlighting President Barack Obama’s recent efforts and his own move, as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to create a subcommittee on global women’s issues as a tool to promote women’s equality. Kerry argued, ”It's up to all of us to ensure that this economic crisis does not become a global women's crisis, too.”
The Des Moines Register (USA) published an editorial March 31, the Los Angeles Times (USA) published an editorial on March 25 and the Huffington Post published a blog March 23 by author Cristina Page applauding the recent federal court ruling that requires the FDA to reconsider whether emergency contraceptive Plan B should be made available without a prescription for all women. The Des Moines Register argued, “Curtailing access to routine birth control and emergency contraception is more likely to lead to abortion than abstinence.”
Salon published a column by Nancy Goldstein March 20, Time (USA) published a column by Amy Sullivan Anderson on March 19 and The Chicago Sun-Times (USA) published an op-ed March 14 by Newsweek columnist Anna Quindlen noting the two-year rise in teen pregnancy rates and calling for comprehensive sexuality education. Quindlen pointed out that “Nearly 90 percent of those sampled in several recent polls support the notion of sex ed in schools.”
The Baltimore Sun (USA) published an op-ed March 18 by former Rep. Connie Morella and Ritu Sharma, director of Women Thrive Worldwide, urging President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to reform the United States’ approach to international development. They argued, “Sensible reforms that emphasize investing in women and that direct aid to those who need it most would mean both women and men can contribute to lifting themselves and their countries out of poverty.”
Women’s eNews published an op-ed on March 19 by Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, deputy director for Africa at the United Nations Millennium Campaign, who wrote about his sister’s recent death from complications of childbirth and the inadequate and inequitable healthcare infrastructure and misplaced political priorities that make pregnancy and childbirth so dangerous for so many women. Abdul-Raheem wrote, “The vast majority of these deaths are preventable and their prevention is definitely less costly than death, in both human and material terms, to the families involved and to society in general.”
USNews.com published a blog post by columnist Deborah Kotz on March 13 on the recently-created White House Council on Women and Girls. Kotz outlined some of the tasks on the council’s agenda and noted that the council’s structure and mission echo those of an office established by President Bill Clinton and eliminated by George W. Bush. She wrote, “I'm thinking this ’new’ Obama initiative is simply an untying of shoelaces tied up by Bush.”
With the exception of those items marked with an asterisk (*) all the summaries above are produced by the Communications Consortium Media Center, 401 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20004, 202.326.8700.