<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><br></div>From: <b class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Sarojini N.</b> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:sarojinipr@gmail.com">sarojinipr@gmail.com</a>></span><br><div class="gmail_quote"><br><br><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:#000000"><br></div><span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">\</span><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div style="text-align:center"></div><p style="margin:0cm;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" align="center"><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:Candara,sans-serif">Image from Google: </span><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:Georgia,serif;color:rgb(30,30,33);background:rgb(247,247,249)">The Women's Library, London Metropolis University'</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:24pt 0cm 0cm;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,32,96)">The Call </span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif" align="center"><b>Gender
Justice and Health for ALL!<br>
8th March, The International Women's Day (IWD)<br>
A Call from People’s Health Movement (PHM)</b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the last few years, we have witnessed
significant achievements and continued struggles for women’s rights and gender
equality. The long road ahead necessitates our collective action and
solidarity.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We persevere in our resistances against a rising
tide of authoritarian regimes and hetero- patriarchal backlash that threatens
our achievements. We are seeing retrogressive signs, often in the name of
culture, religion, traditions, at a global scale that jeopardize our right to
equality and freedoms. Democratic spaces are shrinking, making it more
difficult for civil society organisations and rights groups to dissent against
rights violations and atrocities.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Further, the last two years has witnessed the
challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the persistent absence of
accountability of States and non -State actors including Big Pharma that
clearly prioritised profits over people.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At the moment, healthcare systems and
infrastructure suffer from a blatant disregard for existing inequities that are
determined by the health and well-being of the people, particularly the
marginalized. The pandemic mismanagement has not just reproduced these
inequities but also reinforced them.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">These inequities persist in both public and private
spheres. The crisis of gender-based violence experienced by many women and
LBTQI+ persons, the burden of unpaid care work and domestic chores, the issues
of mental health and wellbeing, the systemic violence through the denial and
delay of essential healthcare and sexual and reproductive health services, are
all testament to how our homes and health ecosystems have not been a safe haven
even in these times of acute crises. The women who have faced the brunt of the
pandemic as frontline workers, healthcare professionals, caregivers,
innovators, community organisers, and more, have had to struggle for wages,
entitlements, social security, and workplaces free from harassment.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Women are being deprived of their bodily autonomy
and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Abortions continue to be
criminalised or accessible conditionally in many countries. Maternal health
care and avoidable maternal deaths are persisting concerns in many countries
but lack the necessary attention. Guttmacher Institute report in 2018, more
than 22,000 women and girls die each year after having an unsafe abortion. Lack
of access to comprehensive sexuality education and other sexual and
reproductive health services continue to remain limited or out of reach
particularly for adolescents and those on the margins. Early and forced
marriages have emerged as a critical issue, exacerbated by the pandemic context
and socio-economic impact on marginalised communities. Governments have
systematically failed to prioritise gender budgeting and allocate finances to
fulfil the needs of women and girls.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Governments have an obligation to address the
particular needs of LBTQI+persons, women and girls of colour, those from
marginalized religious, racial, caste communities, living with disabilities,
immigrants, women in prisons, frontline health workers, to name a few.
Governments also have an obligation to address underlying structural factors which
negate women's autonomy in decision-making regarding their own lives, health
and bodies, to ensure their rights to autonomy and equality in all aspects of
their lives.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Dismantling patriarchal and racist structures
across institutions and systems is an inevitable need in the face of
inequalities and injustices being exacerbated since the onset of this pandemic.
Moreover, repression, occupation, war and conflict that continue to be
unleashed against and within nations must be challenged and resisted. Shrinking
responsibility and the growing repression, occupation, war and conflict by
Governments must continue to be resisted.  </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Global solidarities and struggles are more relevant
and vital in this moment as <span style="color:black">peace and
justice, health and </span>human
rights, including
sexual and reproductive health rights continue to be threatened. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Our collective voices must be heard over and above
these oppressions, our resistances  must be strengthened and
sustained to counter these threats and subversion of rights<span style="color:black">.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This International Women’s Day (IWD), then, marks
another opportunity to reimagine an equitable and gender just world. It is time
for us to strengthen our longstanding political analysis of health and access
to healthcare. The legalization of abortion in Argentina, Mexico and Colombia,
is an inspiring illustration of the long struggle and victory of feminists and
health activists in Latin America. This makes it more important to build
alliances to share strategies, solidarities, support, and active engagement to
confront these marginalizations and oppressions.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Our collective voices are as critical today as ever
before on this International Women’s Day and beyond for,</p>

<p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></p><ul><li>A world that is equitable, inclusive and diverse</li><li>
A world that respects autonomy and bodily integrity</li><li>A world
free of violence and discrimination</li><li>A world that fulfills our vision of peace and
harmony</li></ul><p></p>







<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Join us on the International Women's Day (IWD), 8th
March 2022 to remember our struggles and envision an equitable and gender just
world.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Call by Gender Justice and Health Thematic Group,</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">People’s Health Movement (PHM)<br>
Website: <a href="https://phmovement.org/" target="_blank">https://phmovement.org/</a>; </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Twitter @PHMglobal;</p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">E mail: <a href="mailto:Sarojini_N@phmovement.org" target="_blank">Sarojini_N@phmovement.org</a> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>

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