UN calls contraception access a "universal human right"

[UrbScotty]

Source: CBS

Access to contraception is a universal human right that could dramatically improve the lives of women and children in poor countries, the United Nations announced Wednesday in a new report.

It is the first time the U.N. Population Fund's annual report explicitly describes family planning as a human right.

"Family planning has a positive multiplier effect on development," Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the fund, said in a written statement. "Not only does the ability for a couple to choose when and how many children to have help lift nations out of poverty, but it is also one of the most effective means of empowering women. Women who use contraception are generally healthier, better educated, more empowered in their households and communities and more economically productive. Women's increased labor-force participation boosts nations' economies."

The report effectively declares that legal, cultural and financial barriers to accessing contraception and other family planning measures are an infringement of women's rights.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57549577/un-calls-contraception-access-a-universal-human-right/

[Coyotl]

1. Barriers to accessing contraception and family planning are an infringement of women rights = d'oh!

[freshwest]

3. Even in the USA where women have to run the gauntlet of fundies at women's clinics..

And doctors and staff fear for their lives, with good cause, like those in Afghanistan, except with less media. But it is the same mentality, and I applaud the UN for this. Women are not livestock!

[MANative]

2. In other words, FU, Catholic Church. Finally. n/t

[libodem]

4. Because it is!

[socialindependocrat]

5. Yes, I can see the letters "B" and "O" - This man will speak the truth. Listen to him.

Must be in the stars, people!

[jimma]

6. Just wondering

Who ever said that birth control was not a right? its been leagal for married couples since 1965, and for all americans married or unmarried since 1972. To my knowlege no one has ever tried to take that right away. Keep in mind, a right does not mean a handout or freebee, someone still has to pay for it, the only question is who.

[TBF]

8. As far as I'm concerned it should be free -

paid for by taxes - and dropped in the yards of republicans in the hopes that they will utilize it. That's just me personally though ...

[Skittles]

18. take a hike,jimma

it's obvious you have no freaking clue

[uppityperson]

9. The Catholic Church says so. And there are other places in the world than USA.

Did you read the article in the post you are replying to? Here is the first line in that post "Access to contraception is a universal human right that could dramatically improve the lives of women and children in poor countries, the United Nations announced Wednesday in a new report.
"

[jimma]

16. Correct

I did read the post, however i was just referring to the US because that is the country i live in and everyone seems to get upset when the US intervens into other countries and cultures, what makes this different than anything else, i believe freedom is a human right, but that is not accepted across the globe, and there isnt anything anyone wants us to do about it, so....seems like a double standard to me, even thought they are seperat issues, same concept.

[Swede Atlanta]

10. Jimma, perhaps you have not been following the "personhood" amendments and related legislation.....

Poposed in several states (CO, MS, etc.), but not adopted, have been amendments to state constitutions that would establish a human life begins at conception. Following that logic that means that any action (or potentially even in action) taken by a woman, her physician, etc. that would result in her not carrying the baby to term would be murder.

Many forms of contraception would likely be suspect under such laws as they do not prevent conception but affect the attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus. That would make all these forms of contraception illegal and their use potentially murder.

[jimma]

12. Because of a federal court rule

I suspect that that even if they had been adopeded, they would be challenged and fail because of the US Supreme court rulings, no state can create a law that overrides federal law. that is why all these states that just legalized marajuana will not be able to, it is a schedule 1 controlled substance.

I do agree that it should be universally accepted across the globe, however i am just talking about the US, people get angry when the united states tries to intervene in other countries and cultures, why should the UN be any different. I really dont care too much about other countries on this issue, that is their prerogative, not ours or the UN's im just concerned about here.

[Lars39]

13. Insurance premiums paid by the insured pay for it, It Is *Not* a goddam "freebie".

[jimma]

17. how about thoes who are not covered

well if it is a "human right" who pays for thoes who do not have insurance coverage? that would be a freebie to thoes people wouldent it be. you know if it is a "human right" everyone that wants it will have to get it, covered or not.

[Occulus]

22. So you'll pay for the care and feeding of the resulting children, yes?

Oh. You'd rather avoid paying a pittance now so you're forced to pay a treasure then.

You fucking dumbass....

[pampango]

7. The repub base already wanted the US to withdraw from the UN. This will stoke that fire.

Sorry boys. National sovereignty does not trump human rights.

[Pachamama]

11. It is a human right - its also a health issue and right to protecting our health....

I suffer from severe anemia due to uterine fibroid tumors....my anemia has been so bad that I have been close to needing a blood transfusion and am exhausted, losing hair and other health issues. They cant operate and remove them without the risk of a hysterectomy which my doctor doesnt want to have to do, its major surgery with other risks associated for me. So, the medical treatment is that I was just placed on birth control pills or as its also known hormone therapy. So far, it looks good. It is for me a health issue. But why shouldnt I have access to this medication and have it covered by health insurance when the men out there can get Viagra and Cialis covered? But also, why shouldnt my daughters and all women be able to have protection and control over their reproductive health? Dont we also have a moral responsibility to protecting our population and the planets resources?

[jimma]

14. dont misunderstand

Please dont get me wrong, im not against birth control, you should have access to it, and many health insurances do cover it.

I personally have to take medication for health issues that is not covered by my insurance, but im not asking anyone else to pay for it. and not all insurance compaines cover viagra and cialis either.

are you saying that your insurance does not cover it? are you in a group plan through an employer, alot of times there are multipul options you can choose in youre group plan, maybe the one you currently have selected does not cover, but another option will. Just something to look into if it is not covered by your insurance.

maybe you can petition your company to change to an insurance that will cover it, im sure there are pleanty of wemen the company that will agree and stand with you. fight for it at the smallest level to begin with then go higher, sometimes yould be suprised at the results you can get.

on the other hand, if you purchase you insurance privatly, maybe you should shop for a diffrent insurance company. let the free market speek for itself.

[HockeyMom]

20. Back in the good old days of the 60s, 70s, and even 80s

if it wasn't OTC and an MD wrote a script for it, ALL meds were covered, not exceptions for BC or anything else. I processed insurance claims back then. None of this my religion objects to your contraception, digestion, heart, etc., meds. If it required a script for dispensation, it was covered. Back in those days employers didn't even charge their own employees for health coverage. My husband's vasectomy was covered under his insurance as Elective (not COSMETIC) Surgery, just the same as his HIP REPLACEMENTS 2 years ago were also covered as ELECTIVE Surgery. Elective Surgery just means that you don't need it SAVE YOUR LIFE. COSMETIC Surgery are things like face lifts, nose jobs, etc. A vasectomy is COSMETIC? lol No, so it is ELECTIVE.

It seems just as with young women needing to know what it used to be like in the past, EVERYONE needs to know how different it was in the past.

[billh58]

26. Jimma, I know

that you're no longer with us but if you are reading this please buy a dictionary. I promise that it will help you as you continue your struggle to communicate.

[toby jo]

19. Pope will be pissed at this

I was going to post on this topic - there's a piece Benedict wrote out there called "caritas in veritate" - where he discusses poverty and man's social relationships. It reads like a democratic manifesto. It's a sensitive treatment of society/man/financial responsibility. Not liking Abramic traditions myself, I was wondering what the good man felt about overpopulation, which strikes me as a looming tsunami. Then he delivers. Several chapters and paragraphs in, our Pope Benedict states that poor populations have lifted themselves out of poverty by reproducing. So, alot of people = less poverty.

Whether the fellow is just that dense, or this is a way of keeping woman in the 'breeder' mold escapes me. Reading this piece is like listening to Bach and then dropping down to flutaphones for 4th graders when he gets into populations. Blew me away.

Calling birth control a human right will send thinkers like him over the edge.

This piece is great. Thanks for posting. Thank-you U.N.

[calimary]

21. As a lifelong Catholic, I have one thing to say about this:

Who cares? Truly. Good for him, but he just doesn't understand. Unfettered human reproduction begets ONLY poverty!!!

[RainDog]

23. k&r n/t

[riderinthestorm]

24. Back to the top of the page. K&R nt

[raccoon]

25. And they're right; unfortunately, there are plenty of troglodytes in this country (and others)

who wouldl refuse women that right.