Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists today publishes a statement of support for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) declaration in the defence of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls worldwide.
As an organisation committed to improving women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally we welcome and support FIGO’s declaration announced at their Regional Congress, Cartagena 2022. The declaration commitments need worldwide support to ensure that they can be realised and adhered to so that the SRHR of all women and girls are met.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has an ambition to engage decision-makers in women’s SRHR across the world, working with our Members to ensure our expertise is shared at the highest level. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health and healthcare makes the College’s mission more important than ever.
Health inequalities have grown and modern methods of contraception and quality, safe abortion care remain inaccessible for women and girls across many parts of the world. In addition, the significant burden of gynaecological disease borne by women and girls is a marker of social inequality and highlights the immediate need to prioritise their access to quality services on a global scale.
This is why we are working closely with our Members and Fellows to address barriers to safe abortion, post-abortion care and contraception for women and girls globally through the Making Abortion Safe programme. Making Abortion Safe advocates to increase access to safe and quality abortion and post-abortion care by integrating abortion care education in medical curricula, improving abortion training for healthcare professionals and addressing the systemic stigma experienced by health professionals working in abortion care.
We continue to work with partners, engaging governments to focus upon improving women’s access to quality gynaecological health services so that they may achieve their right to a healthy life across all ages (SDG3) and address discriminatory and harmful practices against women and girls (SDG5).