The Center’s Work in India
Since the launch of the report Women of the World South Asia (2004), the Center has engaged in sustained efforts to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as human rights in India. This work has included several UN submissions, advocacy briefs and publications including most recently, on legal barriers to accessing safe abortions, technical support to partners, close engagement with local civil society organizations and networks, the development of strategic alliances and partnerships, and the development of innovative capacity-building strategies. Over the years, the Center has worked on a range reproductive rights issues, including access to safe and legal abortion, access to the full range of contraceptive methods in a voluntary manner, accountability for maternal mortality and morbidity, and adolescents’ reproductive rights and health, including in instances of child marriage. We will continue to work with local partners to strengthen SRHR access for all, including on issues of assisted reproduction and surrogacy.
Current issues/engagement and partnerships: safe abortion access and services; adolescent SRHR; assisted reproduction; technical, legal advocacy support to partners
Current advocacy efforts: Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act rights-based implementation; addressing criminalization of adolescent sexuality and promoting SRHR access; advocating for stronger intersectional approaches to SRHR law and policy reform; UN advocacy including the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of India by UN Human Rights Council