PHM-Exch> Request to join International Safe Abortion Day on 28th September

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Sarojini N B <sarojini at phmovement.org>
With the *International Safe Abortion Day *on *28th September *around the
corner, we think that it is an important opportunity and space for the
Gender, Justice Group of People's Health Movement (PHM) to reiterate the
demand for  ‘Access to safe, quality and legal abortion’ and strengthen
global solidarity on women’s /feminists and public movements and speak out
for the  Abortion rights of ALL- young girls, women / pregnant persons. We
as PHM issued a statement
<https://phmovement.org/statement-on-access-to-safe-quality-and-legal-abortion/>
following
the fourth People’s Health Assembly (PHA4) in 2018, which was widely
appreciated and contributed to building solidarity with other networks and
movements.



Of the 56 million abortions that happen each year, 25 million are unsafe
with a resulting estimated 22,000 women and girls dying —roughly 8 percent
of all global maternal deaths—and 7 million more suffering serious, often
permanent, injuries. The vast majority of these deaths and injuries are
preventable and occur where laws are most restrictive. Evidence shows that
restricting access to abortion does not decrease women seeking abortion, it
only makes it less safe, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable
women and girls. (Global Declaration on Abortion, Nairobi Summit on ICPD25)



Over the last 25 years, some governments, health care providers and civil
society have initiated efforts to advance women’s and girls’ sexual and
reproductive health and rights within the realm of universal health care
and reproductive justice, in line with international human rights standards
and public health guidance, including liberalizing abortion laws in over 50
countries. This necessitates wide mobilization, solidarity and
reinforcement of SRHR including of young girls, women / pregnant persons,
to counter the threats and dilution of Abortion rights and other  SRHR by
governments as well as fundamentalist forces, including in the current
pandemic lockdown contexts.



On *28th September*, many feminist and rights based groups convene together
to observe the *International Safe Abortion Day*- to visibilise the
continued violation and marginalisation of this issue, its impact on their
lives across the intersections of race, caste, ethnicity, disability, age,
class, religion etc.,  and the politics of policies and criminalisation.



The Gender thematic Circle invites you to join the campaign for Right to
safe abortion on 28th urging governments, UN agencies, civil society
organizations, health providers, the private sector and the donor community
to make abortion, including abortion self-care, safe, legal, available,
accessible and affordable by eliminating all laws and policies that
restrict or criminalize access.  (Global Declaration on Abortion, Nairobi
Summit on ICPD25)


Towards this we are proposing the following ideas ;

1. Create posters reaffirming abortion rights/key messages-upload on social
media and tag. Twitter @PHMglobal at WeAreSama and any of your Organisations,
Regional Chapters

o   *Key messages for social media such as: Recognisesafe abortion as an
essential health service; ; Reproductive rights are human rights, etc. We
will share more messages in the coming week. Use hashtags #SafeAbortion
#AbortionRights #PHMGenderJustice*

2. Make short videos and share with us to be disseminated on social media.

3. Organise or if you have already planned panel discussions/webinar in
your region/circle, do share the link with this group if it is an open
space for participation.

4. Share messages, posters, pictures, videos, links to the 28th September
events in your networks, countries, regions.



Look forward to hearing back from you. Please share the email with your
regional chapters.

In Solidarity,

Sarojini N, Adsa and Deepa

(On behalf of Gender, Justice and Health Thematic Group of PHM)



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