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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Courtney J. Chappell, JD, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, 1050 17th Street, NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20036, 2022932688, cchappell@napawf.org

Sexual and reproductive justice includes the fundamental right of women to have sovereignty over one's sexuality, gender identity, and reproduction. Historically, the national dialogue around reproductive rights has focused on overturning/preserving abortion rights, creating a narrow pro-life/pro-choice debate. The focus on abortion access solely, however, has made it difficult to promote a broader human rights framework of sexual and reproductive justice, one that better captures the breadth of issues that shape Asian American women's and girls' experiences. Abortion access need not and should not be isolated from other areas of human rights. Framing reproductive rights within the broader human rights context provides the opportunity to better understand policies that impact Asian women's sexual and reproductive health and overall well-being, including issues related to health care, violence against women, trafficking, human rights, and welfare reform. Moreover, a broader framework provides for a deeper and more thoughtful analysis of the intersection of reproductive rights with issues related to gender, class, race, sexual orientation, immigration status, and all struggles for human dignity. The purpose of this session is threefold: (1) to provide a broader human rights framework for understanding the sexual and reproductive health care status of Asian American women; (2) to describe current legislation at the national and state levels that impacts Asian American women's and girls' ability to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health care; and (2) to discuss organizational strategies, campaigns, and best practices aimed at improving the health care status of Asian American women and girls.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate the reasons for incorporating reproductive rights within the human rights movement.
• Assess the current legislative and political landscape around sexual and reproductive health care in this country.
• Identify federal, state, and local policies that restrict or expand access to sexual and reproductive health care services for Asian women and girls.
• Evaluate strategies and policies aimed at improving the health care status of Asian women and girls.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Asian Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation