- Brief created: 2021
- Ireland
Reproductive Health and Human Rights: Lessons from Ireland
Based on:
Journal Article (2018) ↗
Human rights discourse is an important strategy to use when advocating for sexual and reproductive rights.
Brief by:
In this paper I look to Ireland with a feminist curiosity and ask: what lessons can women’s health movement(s) in varying geographic and social contexts learn from the Irish case in the use of human rights discourse to promote positive change in sexual and reproductive health matters?
Key findings
In my reading of IFPA documents, the organisation challenged the State to be accountable for women’s rights in Ireland, rather than allowing a situation to continue where those who can afford and have access to travel can acquire services.
When speaking of human rights in these modes, the Irish Family Planning Association exemplifies a strategy of using human rights discourse and frameworks in a way that connects a variety of sexual and reproductive health topics, spanning beyond a single issue or a singular group of people, to such crucial notions as reproductive freedom and autonomy.
Framing sexual and reproductive health in this way can be an effective tool in highlighting the fundamental need for women to have the power and resources necessary to make and carry out informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual lives in a variety of global contexts.
Proposed action
Use as example or evidence to substantiate an advocacy strategy
Anyone working within the EU could use the cases presented in the research as precedent with the European Court of Human Rights
Feminist advocates could use the research to organise against the implementation of austerity measures
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Anna Chadwell for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Anna Chadwell, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Reproductive Health and Human Rights: Lessons from Ireland
Cite this brief: Bakhru, Tanya. 'Reproductive Health and Human Rights: Lessons from Ireland'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/reproductive-health-and-human-rights-lessons-from-ireland/
Brief created by: Dr Tanya Bakhru | Year brief made: 2021
Original research:
- Bakhru, T., ‘Reproductive Health and Human Rights: Lessons from Ireland’ 18(2) (pp. 27–44) https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi. – https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1927&context=jiws
Research brief:
Human rights discourse is an important strategy to use when advocating for sexual and reproductive rights.
In this paper I look to Ireland with a feminist curiosity and ask: what lessons can women’s health movement(s) in varying geographic and social contexts learn from the Irish case in the use of human rights discourse to promote positive change in sexual and reproductive health matters?
Findings:
In my reading of IFPA documents, the organisation challenged the State to be accountable for women’s rights in Ireland, rather than allowing a situation to continue where those who can afford and have access to travel can acquire services.
When speaking of human rights in these modes, the Irish Family Planning Association exemplifies a strategy of using human rights discourse and frameworks in a way that connects a variety of sexual and reproductive health topics, spanning beyond a single issue or a singular group of people, to such crucial notions as reproductive freedom and autonomy.
Framing sexual and reproductive health in this way can be an effective tool in highlighting the fundamental need for women to have the power and resources necessary to make and carry out informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual lives in a variety of global contexts.
Advice:
Use as example or evidence to substantiate an advocacy strategy
Anyone working within the EU could use the cases presented in the research as precedent with the European Court of Human Rights
Feminist advocates could use the research to organise against the implementation of austerity measures