On 28 May, Amnesty International will host a panel discussion on a set of key principles and actions that states must adopt to safeguard abortion providers as human rights defenders across the world.
These key principles and actions have been produced by Amnesty International alongside experts and organizations working on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as attacks against abortion providers and reproductive rights continue to rise globally.
Human rights defenders working to protect and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly those involved in providing access to abortions, such as midwives, doctors, nurses, activists, doulas and accompaniers of self-managed abortions, have been increasingly targeted in many parts of the world.
They have been exposed to physical and verbal attacks, threats, smears and intimidation, and are criminalized through unjust prosecutions, investigations and arrests.
They also face stigmatization, isolation and ostracization in the workplace and the community, as well as restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Funding for sexual and reproductive rights and services has also been badly hit by cuts to aid budgets.
Event details
WHEN: Wednesday 28 May 2025, 3:00 – 4:30 pm (UK Time)
WHERE: Register to the Zoom Webinar here
WHO:
Moderator:
Victoria Boydell – Women’s Health Lecturer, University College London
Panel:
- Fernanda Doz Costa – Director of the Gender, Racial Justice and Refugees and Migrants Programme, Amnesty International.
- Dr Suchitra Dalvie – Obgyn, co-founder and coordinator of the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP), India.
- Asmarach Mogne Animuit – Midwife practising in Ethiopia.
- Payal Shah – Director of Research, Legal, and Advocacy at Physicians for Human Rights, USA.
- Dr. Laura Gil – Obgyn, chair of the FIGO Safe Abortion Committee.
- Justyna Wydrzyńska – Abortion-rights activist and co-founder of Abortion Dream Team, Poland.
Background
In November 2023, Amnesty International published the briefing “Unstoppable Movement: a global call to recognize and protect those who defend the right to abortion” detailing some of the challenges faced by those working to protect the right to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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