Shadow letter to CEDAW on the state of reproductive and sexual health and rights in Costa Rica
On May 25, 2011, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Asociación Colectiva por el Derecho a Decidir, the Centro de Investigación y Promoción para América Central de Derechos Humanos, Law Students for Reproductive Justice of the University of Washington School of Law, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Agenda Política de Mujeres, the Alianza de Mujeres Costarricense, and the Fundación Promoción, Capacitación y Acción Alternativa submitted a shadow letter to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) on the state of sexual and reproductive rights in Costa Rica. Costa Rica reported to the CEDAW Committee during its 49 th session in July 2011.
Costa Rica violates the reproductive rights of women and girls in several troubling ways. They lack access to comprehensive health services, such as safe and legal abortion, emergency contraception, and in vitro fertilization, to family planning services and information, and to adequate sexuality education. The letter also addresses the discrimination lesbian women face, resulting in diminished access to healthcare services.