Renew Europe calls for all EU countries to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health
Author: Caroline Rhawi
Date:
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are inviolable fundamental rights that need to be protected and enhanced.
In a report set to be adopted by Parliament tomorrow, our group calls for all EU countries to step up and ensure access to a full range of high-quality SRHR. That includes the accessible right to abortion, contraceptive methods and supplies, information on contraception as well as sexual education. Ensuring these rights is particularly crucial in the context that the COVID-19 health crisis has dramatically limited the accessibility to SRHR services.
Dacian Cioloş, President of Renew Europe, says:
“We fought long and hard to help women earn their rightful place in society. Women and women alone should decide on intimate decisions like sexual health and reproduction. We need to ensure they have access to the appropriate care as a bare minimum. We will not regress on women's rights.
While these rights are still challenged or denied, the report of the European Parliament is a firm reminder that it is our duty to guarantee these rights as fundamental human rights.“
MEP Irène Tolleret, Member of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality and Renew Europe's shadow rapporteur, comments the report:
“This report addresses sexual and reproductive health and rights as an essential component of public health and calls for universal and full access to SRHR services, without discrimination. The adoption of this ambitious and balanced report is the best response to counter the worrying backlash on women's rights that we are experiencing.”
It is extremely worrying that some Member states still have laws restricting and even banning abortion, driving women to seek unsafe alternatives that could endanger their lives. Renew Europe will continue to fight for all women's right to safe and legal abortions - every woman must have autonomy over her own body.
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Caroline Rhawi
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