Raising our Voices: Global Campaigning for SRHR

Dear WGNRR supporters,

The COVID-19 pandemic brings about unprecedented challenges that threaten a decline in the developmental gains of many countries. This includes advances made in the arena of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), where progress was never easy to begin with. 

This May 28, International Day of Action for Women's Health, we invite you to join us in calling on governments and the international community to ensure a rights-based, just, and sustainable approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current global crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic directly impacts women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health services. Although early reports reveal that more men are dying as a result of COVID-19, the health of women generally is adversely impacted through the reallocation of resources and priorities, including sexual and reproductive health services. Even before COVID-19, women and girls were already dealing with multiple barriers in accessing SRHR  information and services. This public health crisis exacerbates the barriers of women and girls living in intersecting vulnerabilities, particularly those in contexts with fragile economic and health systems, as financial, technological, and human resources are diverted to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The provision of sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion and gender-based violence related services, is central to ensuring the health, rights, and well-being of women and girls. SRH services and commodities should not be overlooked in times of crisis; women continue to require comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. Women’s access to essential SRHR information and services remains critical in responding to COVID-19. Governments should continue to prioritize the delivery of essential SRH services to women and girls. Any public health strategy that is not mindful of human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, will not only be inept and unsustainable but will also create an enabling environment for grave human rights violations. 

TAKE ACTION! We want to make sure your voice is heard! JOIN US NOW! 

Here are ways you can get involved:

SPEAK OUT
Host online awareness-raising activities on the need for a holistic, inclusive, sustainable, and human rights-based approach to women’s health, including SRHR for all women and girls in all their diversities.

SHARE HERSTORIES
Contribute to the making of #LockdownHerstories Booklet. Send us your personal, collective, and community experience, actions, concerns/issues/challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Send your stories to may28campaign@gmail.com.

MOBILIZE
Engage other partners and allies in the May 28th Campaign.

Share with us your campaign plans for May 28th to may28campaign@gmail.com. We will make sure to inform others about your online activities!

ADVOCATE

Send your specific recommendations to government bodies in charge of COVID-19 response. You can find statement templates on the May 28th website later this month!
 

SPREAD THE WORD

Download, print and distribute the Day of Action materials among your allies, partners, colleagues, and all those who support women’s right to health and SRHR. 

Spread the news about the Global Day of Action and tell the world about what you are doing on this day through social media – Facebook and Twitter. 

Use the following hashtags #SRHRisEssential #WomensHealthMatters #NoLockdownonRights #May28. Check www.may28.org for more ideas about social media engagement and sample tweets!


Visit and share www.may28.org and learn more about the campaign and learn what you can do in your community!