Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

NEW PAPER ONLINE: Reflections on using Talanoa methodology to engage with Pacific youth in Aotearoa New Zealand about their sexual and reproductive health by Radilaite Cammock, Tengihia Pousini and Malcolm Andrews of AUT School of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Studies Read the full paper: https://lnkd.in/dwvMbHvi

Join British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) and Amnesty International UK for this important evening of resistance and solidarity. Hear from SRHM Chief Executive, Eszter Kismödi, and other SRHR experts, about abortion rights in the Trump era and what we need to fight back. Register below 👇

🎙️ Listen to the SRHM Podcast on Spotify! The SRHM Podcast explores emerging trends in SRHR but also provides an easy way to listen to journal content, find out the latest research findings in SRHR and hear from experts in the field. Follow here: https://lnkd.in/dHSspD7i

Until now, little attention has been paid to post-partum obstetric violence beyond egregious acts such as detentions in health facilities for non-payment of fees. Alicia Ely Yamin of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Lisa Cosgrove from the University of Massachusetts Amherst argue here for expanding consideration of the post-partum period gure to include pharmaceuticalization, with a focus on the US context. Read the full paper: https://lnkd.in/dcNv5vBs

NEW PAPER ONLINE: “It was a foregone conclusion”: a qualitative study of women’s experiences and meaning-making of later-in-life abortion in Belgium by Kato Verghote, Nathalie Neeser, Tenzin Wangmo, Guido Pennings & Veerle Provoost Read the full paper: https://lnkd.in/didvpukW "Abortion is a crucial healthcare service for women of all ages. However, research on abortion often focuses on younger women. Therefore, we do not know much about the abortion experiences of those who are of more advanced reproductive age. For this study, we have conducted interviews with eight Belgian women who had an abortion at the age of 40 or older. These interviews allowed us to explore in-depth the women’s experiences and motivations to have an abortion at this stage in their lives. Based on their stories, we identified three main themes. 👉 First, we describe how the women’s abortion decisions centred around their families. Some participants also considered their older age an important reason to have the abortion. 👉 Second, we explain that our participants described their unplanned pregnancies as physically and emotionally tough. This was the reason why they all wanted to have the abortion as soon as possible. 👉 In the third theme, we discuss how the women blamed themselves for becoming pregnant unplanned. They also said that they expected to receive negative comments from people in their social circle. Thus, most participants decided to remain silent about their abortion experience. We want to share these findings with research communities, Belgian and international abortion centres, and individuals interested in the topic. This way, we hope to contribute to an open debate about abortion, and the unique circumstances in which people make abortion decisions".

NEW PAPER ONLINE: Approaches to a crisis in early pregnancy: an explorative qualitative study of medical students and doctors in training in Ireland, using a story completion model by Mary Higgins and Sharon Cooley, from the UCD Perinatal Research Centre, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan & Brendan Dempsey This study offers a unique perspective on how medical professionals in training approach crisis pregnancies. ⭐ What is the most important takeaway from this research? 👉 The central message is the paramount importance of respecting patient autonomy and providing compassionate, non-judgmental care, regardless of the circumstances of the pregnancy. The study highlights the need for ongoing education and training to address potential biases and ensure equitable access to care. The study also underscores the complexity of decision-making in crisis pregnancies and the need for healthcare providers to be equipped to support patients through this challenging process. Read the full paper online: https://lnkd.in/dsJrVnVM

Dear SRHM Community, As another transformative year comes to a close, we at SRHM extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community of advocates, researchers, and partners who work tirelessly to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. This year has brought challenges and breakthroughs, reminding us of the resilience and power of collective action. Your dedication has fueled critical conversations, amplified marginalized voices, and paved the way for meaningful change. Today, as the field faces challenges that threaten to turn back progress in securing the SRHR of current and future generations, SRHM stands even stronger with a sharpened vision and commitment. With our partners all around the world working in multiple languages, we continue to reposition and strengthen the role of rights- and evidence-based knowledge. As we look forward to 2025, we are excited to continue advancing this mission with your support. Please see our calls for papers at srhm.org and join us in shaping a world where everyone’s sexual and reproductive health and rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. In solidarity,  Eszter Kismödi, Jane Cottingham and Sapna Desai Chief Executive and Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees of SRHM

The struggle for #abortion decriminalization in #Mexico has marked a watershed year in 2024. Seven state legislatures have partially decriminalized abortion, while three court rulings have paved the way for additional federal entities to follow suit. As of December 2024, 19 of the country’s 32 federal entities have decriminalized abortion, with many of these achievements realized this year alone. This progress warrants a careful examination of these milestones and the path forward. Read the full blog by Paulina Macías Ortega here: https://lnkd.in/dWzsAMds

Le webinaire régional d'Afrique francophone sur le droit à l'avortement dans la région a lieu en ce moment, où nous entendons des perspectives importantes sur l'utilisation des preuves pour conduire le changement dans les lois et politiques sur l'avortement, le respect des droits reproductifs et plus encore, de la part de notre groupe de panélistes du Maroc, du Sénégal, du Bénin, du Burundi Jean-Claude Mulunda MD, MSc, Directeur Pays Ipas RDC et lead du programme Ipas au Burundi Pr Fouzia Yassine, Professeur Universitaire, membres du bureau exécutif de l’association Démocratique des femmes du Maroc, Coordinatrice Nationale de la coalition Pr Aitchéhou Romuald Bothon, Chef Service Santé Maternelle et Infantile au ministère de la santé du Bénin. Expert en relation internationale & en Droits à la santé sexuelle et reproductive Mme Aissatou Ndiaye, Présidente de Youth Women for Action, Coordinatrice de la task force de plaidoyer pour l’accès à l’avortement médicalisé des cas de viol et d’inceste au Sénégal. Kader Avannon, Chef de projet - Soins complets en matière d'avortement, Fédération internationale pour la planification familiale Afric Rejoignez-nous ici: https://lnkd.in/duc-RysK

The Francophone Africa regional webinar on #AbortionRights - 'Avortement sécurisé : Quelles mesures à mettre en œuvre en Afrique pour garantir les droits humains' has now started, and you can still join this discussion by registering here: https://lnkd.in/duc-RysK Bouchra Assarag, President of Together for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (Association EDSSR) Morocco, Vincent de Brouwere, Editor of the QSSR magazine of the Francophone Africa hub and Member of the editorial and advisory board of SRHM Global and HAYATE KOUBRI, Head of the info-prevention committee of the Association EDSSR, Morocco are the moderators of this event, and have introduced the topic along with the expert group of panellists.