Accessing information on the internet about abortion services and reproductive health empowers women and girls! In many situations, the internet is the only means to access critical information on fundamental rights and freedoms and the right to health. The borderless nature of the internet means it can serve as a safe place for women to ask questions, to seek crucial information about abortion services, to connect with other women living similar situations and receive support from organisations working on the issue.
On September 9, 2014, State actors, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations came together for the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council entitled Abortion Stigma, Criminalization and Restrictive Laws and Policies: Breaking the cycle to realize women’s and girls’ rights. It commemorated the 2014 Global Action for the Decriminalisation of Abortion and challenges the illegal and restrictive effects of laws and policies against abortion. It highlighted the different barriers and challenges faced by women and girls to access safe information on abortion services. In particular, it brought to light how attacks on freedom to access information restrict women’s and girls’ capacity to make decisions and to control their reproductive health and futures.
Read the full article in GenderIT.org .