Women's reproductive rights

Abstract

This article discusses the significance of invoking womens legal rights and the reciprocal duties of government to protect and promote womens reproductive health. It describes the role of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN as well as that of more specific human rights conventions such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. After a short discussion of reproductive health and the causes of poor reproductive health the application of human rights conventions to reproductive health is considered in terms of the right to sexual equality the right to liberty and security the right to marry and found a family the right to private and family life rights regarding information and education the right to reproductive health and health care and the right to the benefits of scientific progress. It is concluded that conscientious doctors must become engaged with the denials of equality and justice that contribute to womens ill health rather than simply trying to cure that ill health. To do this physicians must recognize how sexual discrimination and other denials of human rights prejudice womens health. By adopting a proper regard to the individuality and dignity of their patients physicians will be able to relate to their patients on a basis of equality.