Protecting reproductive rights is understood to be a critical component of working to ensure reproductive health. Likewise, promotion and protection of human rights is considered key to an effective AIDS response. As HIV and reproductive health are increasingly joined in health and development strategies and initiatives, it is critical that human rights play a central role in these efforts. Still to be achieved is the translation of gender equality, and other forms of equality, into the lived experience of people’s lives.
While international human rights law to counteract vulnerability in the context of HIV and reproductive health has evolved slowly, the time is right to translate rhetoric into reality. With due attention to its shortcomings, the corpus of international law and policy to promote and protect reproductive rights in the context of HIV can provide effective tools. Better use of what exists is needed, as is documentation of successful interventions to support replication where possible.
Details:
Authors: Sofia Gruskin, Mindy Jane Roseman, Laura Ferguson
Published By: McGill International Journal of Sustainable Development Law & Policy
Year: January 1, 2007
Publication Link: http://www.mcgill.ca/jsdlp/files/jsdlp/3_1_2_gruskin_et_alter_0.pdf