Spotlight on Harm-Reduction in Battle against HIV
The Times of India - Guwahati, India, 4/29/2014
With the northeast of India accounting for the highest number of intravenous drug users (IDUs) in the country, representatives of the Indian Harm Reduction Network, a national network working with IDUs, stressed on identifying new IDU populations and enhancing harm-reduction services among them. The discussion focused on strengthening support systems, capacity building, resource sharing and better coordination among regional networks to make harm-reduction services more feasible.
DOH: RH Law Implementing Rules Undergo Revision
The Philippine Star, Philippines, 4/28/2014
The Department of Health (DOH) is revising the implementing rules and regulations of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Law for the IRR to conform with the recent ruling of the Supreme Court, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said. He said the DOH is hoping to comply with the provision of drugs and devices for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care. ‘Mothers may now be able to practice healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy within the context of free and informed choice, and taking into account fertility intentions and desired family size,’ Ona added.
Groups Vow to Fight Discrimination Against Workers With HIV
The Philippine Star - Manila, Philippines, 4/27/2014
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is working with Pinoy Plus Association Inc., a group of Filipinos infected with the AIDS virus, to combat discrimination against Filipinos infected with HIV and AIDS. In a statement, the groups called on employers and the government to enforce workplace policies to stop the rejection of HIV positives from employment and promotion and termination from their jobs. Gerard Seno, executive vice president of Associated Labor Unions (ALU)-TUCP, said the call is in line with the observance of International Workers Memorial Day tomorrow.
Has Bollywood Finally Come of Age as Far as Sex is Concerned?
Mid Day - Mumbai, India, 4/26/2014
In December, 2013, when the Supreme Court passed its judgment on Section 377 recriminalising homosexuality in India, it created a lot of furore in the country’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. At the time, many Bollywood celebrities showed their displeasure over the SC’s decision as they chose to back the LGBT community. What’s interesting is that B-town celebs aren’t just voicing their opinions in support of homosexuality. Filmmakers today are opening up to the idea of dwelling on plots surrounding same-sex love. However, Onir, who has directed films such as I Am and My Brother... Nikhil, feels that industry still has a long way to go as far as accepting homosexual characters is concerned.
School Condom Sales Spark Row
China Daily - Shaanxi province, China, 4/26/2014
Parents fear that a decision by health authorities in Xi`an, Shaanxi province, allowing middle schools to sell condoms on campus will promote teenage sex. The move has been made to curb an increase in HIV and AIDS cases. ‘The decision was made by the provincial government after in-depth research and careful studies,’ said Ma Guanghui, director of the Shaanxi provincial health and family planning committee`s disease control office. Liu Ling, deputy director of Shaanxi provincial health and family planning committee, said AIDS prevention and control work is at a critical stage in the province. Selling condoms in middle schools is part of the effort to achieve this target, Liu added.
Nepal Among 21 Countries With Rape in Conflict
Republica, Nepal, 4/26/2014
A new U.N. report names 21 countries where rape and other sexual violence has been committed in current and recent conflicts, from Afghanistan and Central African Republic to Myanmar, Syria and Nepal. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon´s report says, there is now unprecedented political momentum globally to end conflict-related sexual violence, but more action is needed regionally and nationally to respond to these crimes.
Workshop: Women, Child Rights Bill Soon in KP
Pakistan Observer - Peshawar, Pakistan, 4/25/2014
The lack of proper knowledge and low level of awareness among the adolescent girls and young mothers about the physiological and reproductive health changes besides the poor facilities were the main issues exposing them to number of complications with regard to reproductive health specially the fast growing mortality rate of mothers in the rural areas. This was the crux of the one day workshop titled ‘Understanding the Adolescent Girls and Young Mothers (AGYMs) Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Issues’ arranged jointly by the by Rahnuma FPAP with the collaboration of CARE International Pakistan about Research and Advocacy Fund (RAF) at a local hotel in Peshawar.
Supreme Court Bludgeons RH Law
Manila Standard Today - Manila, Philippines, 4/25/2014
On April 10, 2014, the High Court declared the RH Law and its implementing rules and regulations ‘not unconstitutional’, meaning they are basically constitutional as it is the right of government to adopt reproductive health measures as long as they are not coercive. But the high court, voting overwhelmingly against (either 10-5 or 11-4), emasculated the law by declaring as unconstitutional eight major provisions that would have made a government-mandated and sponsored family planning program effective and mandatory with penalties or sanctions against the violators or objectors.
Helping Eradicate Abuse Through Learning
Daily News and Analysis - Mumbai, India, 4/25/2014
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a topic that renders even the strongest squeamish, be it in India or any part of the world. ‘Firstly, sexuality in itself is not spoken of much in the country and add CSA to that and you have a concept that is even harder for a society like ours to address,’ says Suchismita Bose, director of The Foundation - a non-profit organisation spearheaded by actor Rahul Bose. Project H.E.A.L. - an aptly-named acronym that stands for Help Eradicate Abuse through Learning is a movement, started by Rahul Bose, looking to ‘ease discrimination towards CSA survivors’ through educating communities and increasing awareness on the much-ignored issue that is CSA.
Gender Bias in Indian Elections
The Nation, India, 4/24/2014
Political parties and voters are equally to blame for the low representation of women in Parliament. Throughout history, women have fought all kinds of odds to achieve success in a male-dominated political world. Despite this, women are still under-represented in parliaments around the world. Even today they constitute less than a fourth of the world’s lawmakers. This is the perception even in India, despite its history of strong women leaders. Since winnability is apparently the only criteria for political parties, it is not surprising that they tend to field far fewer women than men as candidates. One can see this in the current Lok Sabha elections as well; there are only 53 women among the 419 candidates announced by the Congress.
News Archives
2022
248