An in-depth look at the fight to win reproductive rights for women all over the world. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/reproductive-rights/rss en Gender-Based Violence Reproductive Rights Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:20:00 +0000 Sarita Santoshini https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/22/in-northern-uganda-male-mentors-spread-the-word-on-family-planning https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/22/in-northern-uganda-male-mentors-spread-the-word-on-family-planning A hundred men in Acholi region have been trained to advocate for family planning, by spreading awareness and counselling other men on the health and financial benefits of respecting their wives’ rights to help make decisions on when and how many children they have. Health Politics and Policy Reproductive Rights Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:20:00 +0000 Rodrigue Rwirahira https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/22/rwandas-proposed-abortion-amendment-takes-procedure-out-of-the-courts https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/22/rwandas-proposed-abortion-amendment-takes-procedure-out-of-the-courts Rwanda’s current penal code says the final decision over whether a woman can have an abortion lies with courts. Often women have to wait weeks or months for a ruling. Now, a new amendment would allow most abortions to go through with the consent of the woman and her doctor. Health Reproductive Rights Tue, 16 Jan 2018 11:30:00 +0000 Marta Kasztelan https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/16/love-child-behind-the-rise-in-cambodias-teen-pregnancy-rates https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/16/love-child-behind-the-rise-in-cambodias-teen-pregnancy-rates Cambodia has seen a dramatic spike in teen pregnancies since 2010, with rates tripling in some parts of the country, as an increasing number of teenage girls choose to get married ‘for love.’ Health Reproductive Rights Solutions Fri, 12 Jan 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Dominic Kirui https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/12/the-kenyan-church-leader-who-became-a-family-planning-champion https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/12/the-kenyan-church-leader-who-became-a-family-planning-champion In West Pokot county, which has one of the highest fertility rates in Kenya, a Catholic catechist is spreading the word about the benefits of contraceptive use, hoping to save community members from the struggles he faced as part of a large family. Health Reproductive Rights Wed, 27 Dec 2017 03:00:00 +0000 Vandana Tripathi, Mary Nell Wegner, Kayla McGowan, Sarah Hodin https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/12/27/surgery-a-cure-for-fistula-but-also-a-cause https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/12/27/surgery-a-cure-for-fistula-but-also-a-cause Four maternal health experts come together to examine how fistula, while known to be treatable by surgery, is also caused by unsafe surgical techniques, and what the global health community can do about it. Health Minority Rights Reproductive Rights Solutions Tue, 19 Dec 2017 04:12:37 +0000 Puja Changoiwala https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/19/the-fight-to-end-forced-sterilization-of-girls-with-disabilities https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/19/the-fight-to-end-forced-sterilization-of-girls-with-disabilities Girls with disabilities in India are often at risk of forced hysterectomies when they begin to menstruate. One activist in Mumbai is educating both parents and children about periods to protect girls from unnecessary procedures and other types of abuse. Crisis and Conflict Gender-Based Violence Health Reproductive Rights Thu, 14 Dec 2017 03:00:19 +0000 Jihii Jolly, Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/14/deeply-talks-caring-for-rohingya-women-and-girls https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/14/deeply-talks-caring-for-rohingya-women-and-girls Women & Girls speaks with Dr. Hassan Abdi of UNFPA and journalist Katie Arnold about how best to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare to Rohingya women and girls amid one of the world’s most desperate humanitarian crises. Health Reproductive Rights Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:07:33 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/11/sri-lankan-women-too-scared-to-seek-legal-post-abortion-care https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/11/sri-lankan-women-too-scared-to-seek-legal-post-abortion-care Abortion is illegal in almost all cases in Sri Lanka, but it’s perfectly legal for women to seek help after complications from backstreet abortions. Still, the fear of stigma and discrimination prevents many from coming forward. Health Reproductive Rights Thu, 23 Nov 2017 03:38:54 +0000 Anastasia Maunilova https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/11/23/russia-considers-ban-on-immoral-commercial-surrogacy-industry https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/11/23/russia-considers-ban-on-immoral-commercial-surrogacy-industry Russia’s rapidly developing surrogate industry may now grind to a halt, as members of the parliament debate banning the practice. The issue is dividing feminists, the surrogacy industry and surrogate mothers – who are often some of Russia’s poorest women. Economic Independence Reproductive Rights Thu, 26 Oct 2017 11:58:01 +0000 Megan Clement, Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/10/26/deeply-talks-should-foreign-couples-be-able-to-use-indian-surrogates https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/10/26/deeply-talks-should-foreign-couples-be-able-to-use-indian-surrogates Women & Girls speaks with Sharmila Rudrappa, director of the Center for Asian American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and reporter Flora Bagenal, about the debate on whether commercial surrogacy should be legal for foreign couples in India. Health Reproductive Rights Mon, 25 Sep 2017 14:33:26 +0000 Marla Darwin https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/09/25/how-safe-spaces-can-help-stop-the-philippines-teen-pregnancy-crisis https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/09/25/how-safe-spaces-can-help-stop-the-philippines-teen-pregnancy-crisis To tackle the rising pregnancy rates among Filipino teens, young women need places both online and in real life where they can discuss sex and their bodies without fear of judgment, says Marla Darwin, cofounder of Grrrl Gang Manila. Health Reproductive Rights Solutions Tue, 05 Sep 2017 11:51:45 +0000 Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/09/05/9-experts-to-watch-on-family-planning https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/09/05/9-experts-to-watch-on-family-planning As part of our ‘Experts to Watch’ series, we highlight nine experts who are advancing research, policy and interventions for women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. Health Reproductive Rights Mon, 04 Sep 2017 08:35:22 +0000 Tricia Taormina https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/09/04/women-in-nepal-are-turning-to-pharmacies-for-clandestine-abortions https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/09/04/women-in-nepal-are-turning-to-pharmacies-for-clandestine-abortions In Nepal, many women still turn to clandestine abortions – via pills sold at pharmacies – rather than visiting doctors for legal procedures. The government and NGOs are now educating pharmacists on how to offer women safer abortions. Reproductive Rights Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:43:38 +0000 Pamposh Raina https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/08/31/how-gender-equality-can-help-india-manage-population-growth https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/08/31/how-gender-equality-can-help-india-manage-population-growth In seven years’ time, India could be the world’s most populous nation. To manage that growth, the government needs to look beyond family size to social factors such as education and patriarchal mindsets, UNFPA India representative Diego Palacios tells News Deeply. Health Reproductive Rights Tue, 29 Aug 2017 10:56:31 +0000 Jen Thorpe https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/29/concern-over-popular-contraceptive-and-hiv-vulnerability-in-south-africa https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/29/concern-over-popular-contraceptive-and-hiv-vulnerability-in-south-africa Recent studies have shown that the three-month injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera might make people more vulnerable to contracting HIV. In South Africa, where more than 7 million people are infected with HIV, the injectable is the most commonly used contraceptive. Health Reproductive Rights Tue, 29 Aug 2017 06:57:39 +0000 Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/08/29/expert-views-soaring-teen-pregnancy-rates-in-the-philippines https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/08/29/expert-views-soaring-teen-pregnancy-rates-in-the-philippines Following the Women & Girls expert forum on teen pregnancy in the Philippines, we round up the expert views on what’s driving the phenomenon, and how to lower the country’s sky-high rates of teenage mothers. Health Politics and Policy Reproductive Rights Fri, 25 Aug 2017 10:55:32 +0000 Dánae Vilchez https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/25/raped-children-forced-to-give-birth-life-under-nicaraguas-abortion-ban https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/25/raped-children-forced-to-give-birth-life-under-nicaraguas-abortion-ban Nicaragua’s total ban on abortion puts women and girls’ lives in danger, and forces raped children to have babies of their own. Yet the Central American country recently ranked 10th in the world for gender equality. Health Politics and Policy Reproductive Rights Solutions Thu, 24 Aug 2017 04:46:30 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/24/four-ways-the-world-got-better-for-women-and-girls-this-month https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/24/four-ways-the-world-got-better-for-women-and-girls-this-month In the month of August alone, India has banned instant divorce, Jordan and Lebanon have ended “marry-your-rapist” laws, Chile has lifted its total abortion ban and Nepal has outlawed menstrual discrimination. Reproductive Rights Solutions Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:37:01 +0000 Ana P. Santos https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/21/philippines-sees-rise-in-multiple-teen-pregnancies-to-older-men https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/21/philippines-sees-rise-in-multiple-teen-pregnancies-to-older-men The Philippines is struggling to find solutions to its soaring teen pregnancy rates, and finding that addressing the problem requires interventions that go beyond contraception education and access. Gender-Based Violence Reproductive Rights Thu, 10 Aug 2017 11:49:59 +0000 Madhumita Pandey https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/08/10/what-i-learned-interviewing-convicted-rapists-in-new-delhi https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/08/10/what-i-learned-interviewing-convicted-rapists-in-new-delhi Interviews with 100 convicted sex offenders in India, where almost 90 percent of rape cases go unreported, demonstrate that gender norms are deeply internalized. Politics and Policy Reproductive Rights Fri, 04 Aug 2017 11:13:02 +0000 Pamposh Raina https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/04/assam-india-debates-two-child-policy-to-control-population https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/04/assam-india-debates-two-child-policy-to-control-population The government of Assam wants to put a limit on family size to try to slow the state’s population growth. But mistrust of contraception could make it impossible to convince people about the benefits of family planning. Health Reproductive Rights Thu, 03 Aug 2017 13:11:23 +0000 Shaina Shealy https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/03/women-cross-from-israel-to-the-west-bank-to-choose-their-babies-sex https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/03/women-cross-from-israel-to-the-west-bank-to-choose-their-babies-sex Traffic across Israeli checkpoints for medical procedures usually goes one way – towards Israel – but some women are moving in the opposite direction in order to choose the sex of their babies at West Bank hospitals. Health Minority Rights Reproductive Rights Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:51:05 +0000 Fariba Nawa https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/27/pregnant-afghans-grapple-with-irans-exemplary-refugee-healthcare-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/27/pregnant-afghans-grapple-with-irans-exemplary-refugee-healthcare-2 Iran has been lauded for providing free healthcare or subsidized insurance to many Afghan refugees. Yet some 2 million undocumented Afghans have no such benefits and live in fear of debt and deportation. Health Reproductive Rights Wed, 26 Jul 2017 06:24:39 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/26/injections-and-implants-could-revolutionize-hiv-prevention-for-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/26/injections-and-implants-could-revolutionize-hiv-prevention-for-women Today, medication to prevent HIV takes the form of a daily pill, which is not convenient for everyone. However, new tools such as injections and implants are currently in development – and the first tests look promising. Crisis and Conflict Reproductive Rights Wed, 19 Jul 2017 12:08:55 +0000 Emily Wright https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/19/guerilla-baby-boom-as-farc-rebels-lift-50-year-pregnancy-ban https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/19/guerilla-baby-boom-as-farc-rebels-lift-50-year-pregnancy-ban Pregnancy was outlawed among the rebel armies of Colombia during the 52-year civil war. Now the guerilla camps are demobilizing, female fighters are free to have children for the first time. Health Minority Rights Reproductive Rights Fri, 14 Jul 2017 11:53:19 +0000 Amy Fallon https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/14/bidi-bidis-babies-giving-birth-in-the-worlds-largest-refugee-camp https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/14/bidi-bidis-babies-giving-birth-in-the-worlds-largest-refugee-camp In the world’s largest refugee camp, giving birth can be a real challenge. But maternal mortality at Bidi Bidi in Uganda is low, and women often report better delivery conditions than they received at home. Amy Fallon reports for our series ‘Refugee Mothers: Pregnancy in Exile.’ Health Reproductive Rights Thu, 13 Jul 2017 13:52:55 +0000 Priyanka Borpujari https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/13/indias-20-week-abortion-limit-questioned-after-birth-of-unwanted-baby https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/13/indias-20-week-abortion-limit-questioned-after-birth-of-unwanted-baby After India’s Supreme Court rejected a Mumbai woman’s plea to be granted an abortion beyond the legal cutoff, she gave birth to a severely disabled baby. The case has reignited calls for the adoption of long-proposed changes to this law. Health Politics and Policy Reproductive Rights Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:51:05 +0000 Jumana Farouky https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/12/family-planning-gets-2-5-billion-boost-at-london-summit https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/12/family-planning-gets-2-5-billion-boost-at-london-summit Under the shadow of Donald Trump’s proposed funding cuts, governments and NGOs have renewed their commitment to make family planning available to 120 million more women and girls by 2020. Health Politics and Policy Reproductive Rights Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:02:45 +0000 Ulla Müller https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/07/11/we-need-to-change-the-way-we-think-about-reproductive-rights https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/07/11/we-need-to-change-the-way-we-think-about-reproductive-rights As the United States pulls out of the global family planning movement, new space is opening to reconsider how we provide family planning to women and girls worldwide, and what equality really means. Health Reproductive Rights Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:43:05 +0000 Esenam Amuzu https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/07/11/for-ghanaian-girls-contraception-can-be-a-life-saver https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/07/11/for-ghanaian-girls-contraception-can-be-a-life-saver For Esenam Amuzu’s peers in Ghana, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence and risky sexual behavior are often the norm. On World Population Day, she explains how sex education and access to contraception can turn girls’ lives around.