In 2001 the DAWN Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (S&R H&R) Program designed a new global policy research effort to examine the ways in which health reform processes affect national responses to maternal mortality and post-abortion care and the debate regarding the legalization of abortion. This initiative aimed at re-visiting policy implementation in a group of countries that had been the object of a DAWN policy assessment in 1999–2000 (Weighing-up Cairo), 2000).  It was also an opportunity to articulate research and activism in the period leading to 10th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), in 2004. Twelve countries were examined in this new research cycle: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico and Uruguay in Latin America; Ghana and Nigeria in Africa; the Philippines in Asia; Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. In 2006 the final cross country analysis resulting from this new effort was completed. 

The twelve countries reports as well as the global report - Policy, politics and women’s reproductive health – A study of health sector reform, maternal mortality and abortion in selected countries of the South – are now posted in the DAWN webpage.

Good reading

Bene Madunagu and Sonia Corrêa

What direction for SRHR: Focus on Africa. Presentation at the DAWN Panel at the Polycentric WSF in Bamako, Mali, January 18-23, 2006 by Bene Madunagu (DAWN General coordinator)

PROVIDA-GATE or Bras and Thongs for Life

DAWN letter of support for Brazil's leadership in the UN to end sanctioned violence and human rights abuses because of sexual orientation.

International Commission of Jurists International Human Rights references to non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

NGO support for Brazil resoltuion on human rights and sexual orientation.

Reponses to UN policy on same sex partnerships and Brazil resolution on preventing human rights violations based on sexual orientation.

ICPD+10 Access to Abortion call

Religion and Women - conference report from Chiang Mai, March 2004
International Women's Health Coalition statement on the Congressional vote against UNFPA

Adolescent reproductive rights under seige from a United States attack on their access to abortion and contraceptive services.

Encouraging news from Peru on changes to Cabinet after attempts to introduce a health bill proposing that women register all pregnancies.