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UN: Zika virus should spark review of birth control access UN: Zika virus should spark review of birth control access
(about 2 hours later)
LONDON — The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says laws and policies that restrict access to birth control services must be repealed amid the explosive outbreak of the Zika virus in the Americas, which has been linked to an increase in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads. LONDON — The U.N. office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says women in countries stricken by the Zika virus — which has been linked to an increase in the number of babies born with abnormally small heads — should have access to birth control methods, including abortion in some cases.
In a statement issued on Friday, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said the advice of some governments to women to delay getting pregnant “ignores the reality” that many women have little control over the circumstances in which that happens. At a briefing in Geneva, spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly said OHCHR was asking governments in Zika-affected countries in Latin and South America to repeal any policies that break with international standards and restrict access to sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion.
“We are asking those governments to go back and change those laws,” she said. “Because how can they ask those women to become pregnant but also not offer them first information that is available, but the possibility to stop their pregnancies if they wish?”
Pouilly said that about a quarter of women had experienced physical or sexual violence in El Salvador in the past year.
“So that also shows that many of these pregnancies are out of their control and countries obviously have to take that into account,” she said. Pouilly said that safe abortion services should be provided to the full extent of the law. “The key point is that women should have the choice and (make) informed decisions,” she said. “Women should be able to have an abortion if they want.”
To date, the mosquito-borne virus has spread to more than 20 countries in the Americas, including some where sexual violence is rampant, Al Hussein said. He called for laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health services to be urgently reviewed.To date, the mosquito-borne virus has spread to more than 20 countries in the Americas, including some where sexual violence is rampant, Al Hussein said. He called for laws restricting access to sexual and reproductive health services to be urgently reviewed.
On Monday, the World Health Organization declared the explosive spread of Zika virus to be a global emergency, as it is suspected of being responsible for an increase in congenital defects, even though definitive scientific proof has not been obtained.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.