Emergency contraception (EC) is increasingly recognized as an important means to give women control over their own lives, by allowing them to manage their own fertility. Issues about EC include how to get the information out to women and girls who are victims of coercive sex or have otherwise experienced unprotected sex and face unwanted pregnancy, and how to deal with opposition from those who seek to equate EC with abortion.
An urgent need for EC exists in developing countries, where tens of millions of women resort to unsafe abortions, a major cause of maternal mortality. Through surveying women’s organizations in Latin America, we learned of their enthusiasm and interest in providing information about EC to women in their communities. Since early 1999 we and partners have carried out workshops in Nicaragua and Mexico. In 2000 we will conduct additional workshops in Brazil with plans to expand to other Latin American countries.
Our objective is to link information about EC with STD/HIV and domestic violence prevention within the context of women’s rights and empowerment. Highlights include : formation of an Emergency Contraception Commission made up of seven Nicaraguan organizations and collaboration with Nicaragua’s Red de Mujeres por la Salud for a follow-on workshop with member health centers.
Providing information on EC in the context of women’s rights creates a valuable forum for discussion of sexuality, violence against women and girls as a health issue, and women’s roles in family health.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss basic technical issues concerning emergency contraception 2. Discuss the importance of empowering women through access to knowledge and information 3. Identify the role of women's organizations in promoting women's health and rights in selected Latin American countries 4. Recognize the need to link emergency contraception counseling to STD/HIV and domestic violence preventive messages
Keywords: Contraception, STD Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Pacific Institute for Women's Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.