UN Human Rights Council 39th Session – Oral Statement on Bangladesh’s UPR Outcome

The Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and Action Canada for Population and Development made this statement in collaboration with Right Here Right Now Bangladesh and Sexual Rights Initiative.

 

Young people constitute one fifth of Bangladesh’s population and while the country has made great strides in terms of ensuring reproductive health care services for women, very little attention has been paid to the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people. They lack access to comprehensive information about sexual and reproductive health issues and to quality youth friendly services. The coverage of service providers remains limited in urban slums and rural areas.[i] Furthermore, persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities continue to face discrimination, stigma, and violence.[ii]

 

During its 3rd UPR, Bangladesh received recommendations on elimination of all forms of discrimination and abuse on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation; decriminalization of homosexuality; and enabling environment for sexual and reproductive health of women and girls. It is very concerning that Bangladesh has failed to respond positively to many of these recommendations, citing “cultural codes”. This response contradicts Bangladesh’s international human rights commitments. It also reinforces the deep rooted patriarchal notions that control women and girls’ bodies, reducing their access to sexual and reproductive health services. Further, it directly endangers young people and women’s lives by withholding essential information and services with regard to their bodies.

 

We urge Bangladesh to build on the positive steps taken in past years to uphold the sexual and reproductive rights of young people and women. We call on Bangladesh to renew its political commitment and investment in gender equality, universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and comprehensive sexuality education for all. And in doing so, to truly fulfill Bangladesh’s international commitments with regards to human rights and to enable young people and women to exercise their fundamental bodily rights.

 

Thank you.

 

[i] http://evidenceproject.popcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Bangladesh-ASRH-Report_January-2017.pdf

[ii] https://www.wewillspeakout.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/GBV-Study-report_Final-FHI_PNG-and-Bangladesh.pdf

Vietnam

  • Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP)

Indonesia

  • Aliansi Satu Visi (ASV);
  • CEDAW Working Group;
  • Hollaback! Jakarta;
  • Institut Kapal Perempuan;
  • Kalyanamitra;
  • Komnas Perempuan;
  • Remaja Independen Papua/Independent Youth
    Forum Papua (FRIP/IYFP);
  • Perkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia (PKBI);
  • Perkumpulan Lintas Feminis Jakarta;
  • Perkumpulan Pamflet Generasi;
  • RUTGERS Indonesia;
  • Sanggar SWARA;
  • Women on Web;
  • Yayasan Kesehatan Perempuan (YKP); 
  • YIFOS Indonesia

Maldives

  • Hope for Women
  • Society for Health Education (SHE)
UN Human Rights Council 39th Session - Oral Statement on Bangladesh’s UPR Outcome

The Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and Action Canada for Population and Development made this statement in collaboration with Right Here Right Now Bangladesh and Sexual Rights Initiative.

 

Young people constitute one fifth of Bangladesh’s population and while the country has made great strides in terms of ensuring reproductive health care services for women, very little attention has been paid to the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people. They lack access to comprehensive information about sexual and reproductive health issues and to quality youth friendly services. The coverage of service providers remains limited in urban slums and rural areas.[i] Furthermore, persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities continue to face discrimination, stigma, and violence.[ii]

 

During its 3rd UPR, Bangladesh received recommendations on elimination of all forms of discrimination and abuse on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation; decriminalization of homosexuality; and enabling environment for sexual and reproductive health of women and girls. It is very concerning that Bangladesh has failed to respond positively to many of these recommendations, citing “cultural codes”. This response contradicts Bangladesh’s international human rights commitments. It also reinforces the deep rooted patriarchal notions that control women and girls’ bodies, reducing their access to sexual and reproductive health services. Further, it directly endangers young people and women’s lives by withholding essential information and services with regard to their bodies.

 

We urge Bangladesh to build on the positive steps taken in past years to uphold the sexual and reproductive rights of young people and women. We call on Bangladesh to renew its political commitment and investment in gender equality, universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and comprehensive sexuality education for all. And in doing so, to truly fulfill Bangladesh’s international commitments with regards to human rights and to enable young people and women to exercise their fundamental bodily rights.

 

Thank you.

 

[i] http://evidenceproject.popcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Bangladesh-ASRH-Report_January-2017.pdf

[ii] https://www.wewillspeakout.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/GBV-Study-report_Final-FHI_PNG-and-Bangladesh.pdf

Morocco

  • Association Marocaine de Planification Familiale (AMPF),
  • Morocco Family Planning Association

India

  • CommonHealth;
  • Love Matters India;
  • Pravah;
  • Rural Women’s Social Education Centre (RUWSEC);
  • SAHAYOG;
  • Sahaj;
  • Sahiyo;
  • SAMA – Resource Group for Women and Health;
  • WeSpeakOut;
  • The YP Foundation (TYPF)

Lao PDR

  • Lao Women’s Union;
  • The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Health
    Sciences (UHS)

Sri Lanka

  • Bakamoono;
  • Women and Media Collective (WMC),
  • Youth Advocacy Network – Sri Lanka (YANSL)

Malaysia

  • Federation of Reproductive Health Associations of Malaysia (FRHAM);
  • Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG);
  • Justice for Sisters (JFS);
  • Reproductive Health Association of
    Kelantan (ReHAK);
  • Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia (RRAAM);
  • Sisters in Islam (SIS)

Maldives

  • Hope for Women;
  • Society for Health Education (SHE)

Myanmar

  • Colourful Girls Organization;
  • Green Lotus Myanmar

Nepal

  • Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC);
  • Blind Youth Association of Nepal;
  • Blue Diamond Society (BDS);
  • Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA);
  • Visible Impact;
  • Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC);
  • YPEER Nepal;
  • YUWA

Pakistan

  • Aahung, Centre for Social Policy Development (CSPD);
  • Forum for Dignity Initiative (FDI);
  • Gravity Development Organization; Green Circle Organization;
  • Indus Resources Center (IRC);
  • Idara-e-Taleem-O-Aaghai (ITA);
  • Rehnuma – Family Planning Association Pakistan;
  • Shelter
    Participatory Organisation;
  • Shirkat Gah;
  • The Enlight Lab

Philippines

  • Democratic Socalist Women of the Philippines (DSWP);
  • Galang;
  • Healthcare Without Harm;
  • Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities;
  • Likhaan Centre for Women’s Health;
  • Nisa UI Haqq Fi Bangsamoro;
  • PATH Foundation Inc. (PFPI);
  • Women’s Global Network for
    Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)

Singapore

  • End Female Genital Cutting Singapore
  • Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)

Mongolia

  • MONFEMNET National Network