Sarah Webb’s Post

Great piece unpacking the structural factors that can lead well-intentioned providers in the U.S. to push #LARCs over other methods - especially for Black and low-income people. I particularly like that it doesn't place sole blame on providers, acknowledging the real challenges they face working in a health system that is fundamentally broken and discriminatory.  While the article is U.S.-focused, I encourage my #globalhealth colleagues to read. There are many parallels and the recommendation to (re)focus on patient-centered care seems particularly relevant in #LMICs to prevent provider-based #reproductivecoercion.  A lot of gems in this piece, but this is a favorite:  "...the notion of fighting poverty and saving money by reducing unplanned pregnancies misses a big point: poverty is not caused by pregnancy. Many women are poor when they get pregnant because of entrenched social issues. Advising them to wait for a better time to have a baby implies that women who are poor shouldn’t procreate. Saying that unplanned pregnancies cause poverty “stigmatizes poor women, especially poor women of color, and blames them for profound inequality that’s actually caused by things like lack of access to meaningful employment or safe schools,” says Patrick Grzanka, a psychology professor at the University of Tennessee who has studied LARC coercion." https://lnkd.in/ePsvezes 

What does it say about the medical system, our goverment, and the world that as a woman, a Black woman, that I have to “protect” the most natural and physiological process that ensures civilization is preserved? Let’s think about it like this- Regardless of your position on reproductive rights and freedom, we now live in a country where sex that results in pregnancy all but mandates experiencing childbirth. Food for thought: How do you mandate a potential death sentence in order to bring new life into the world and sustain the human race? #themoreyouknow #racism #blackmaternalhealth #blackhealthmatters #healthandwellness #healingtrauma #socialdeterminantsofhealth #humanrights #reproductivejustice #birthjustice

The Equity Exchange is an equity-focused virtual event hosted by NICHQ’s Department of Health Equity Innovation. This series provides a unique space to exchange innovative ideas, learn and discuss emerging theories, and share resources and tools on topics related to equity in maternal and child health. Expect something different than your standard webinar, with more ways to interact and engage on our new platform.    Join the conversation about Reproductive Justice and Black Feminism in honor of Black Maternal Health Week 2024 and in recognition of this year's BMHW theme, “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!,” highlighting widespread restrictions on abortion care access coupled with rising cases of criminalization due to pregnancy loss that continue to widen the gaps of adverse maternal and birth outcomes in the U.S. https://lnkd.in/gzmaN3h3

Pregnancy termination or induced abortion is not decriminalized, and access to safe abortion services is largely unavailable in PNG. Yet, the practice is common among women of reproductive age (15-49 years). Today, I had the privilege and opportunity to present our findings at the 15th Biennial PSRH Conference in Auckland, NZ. We found that married women with increased age (>35 years), had low educational level, residing in urban areas, had experienced intimate partner violence, and being an independent decision-maker for contraceptive use (family planning methods) were important factors associated with pregnancy termination. Our study underscores the need for developing health interventions and support services to prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion practices. There is a need to create an enabling environment that respects and protects women while taking into consideration the moral and legal implications. Also, access to post-abortion care remains crucial and must be expanded to the full extent of the country’s legal framework and added as an integral component of existing sexual and reproductive health care. #sexualhealth #pregnancytermination #pngwomen #psrhconference #aotearoa #20march

Exciting News! 📣🇺🇸 In a powerful display of commitment to women's healthcare and accessibility, Democratic Senators have come together to champion a groundbreaking initiative! 🙌💊 Today, I am thrilled to share that a group of visionary Senators from the Democratic Party has penned a letter addressed to the Biden administration. Their mission? To secure guidelines that ensure free access for all to Perrigo's revolutionary over-the-counter birth control tablet, Opill (norgestrel)! This groundbreaking move represents a significant step toward making essential healthcare more affordable and accessible to everyone. It's not just about providing contraception; it's about empowering women with the freedom to make choices that are right for them. In a world where health equity is more crucial than ever, this initiative embodies the spirit of progress and inclusivity. It's a testament to the power of collective action and the belief that access to healthcare should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. Let's applaud these Senators for their dedication to change and their unwavering commitment to the betterment of healthcare for all. It's a remarkable moment for us, and we're excited to see where this path leads us. Share this post and let's spread the word about this momentous development! 💪🌟 #HealthcareForAll #WomenEmpowerment #AccessToHealthcare #OpillAccess #EqualityForAll https://lnkd.in/dee_QKRh

Family planning services encompass a range of healthcare options and information that help individuals and couples make informed decisions about their reproductive health and the timing of having children. These services often include access to contraceptives, counseling on fertility and pregnancy options, screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and education on reproductive health. Family planning empowers individuals to plan their families according to their desires, socioeconomic situation, and health considerations, contributing to healthier families and communities overall. It plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, and fostering sustainable development.

It's International Women's Day, and traditionally much of the discourse on this day is about asking society to treat women the same way it treats men. While this is an admirable goal in many contexts, it is equally important for us to invest in systems and mindsets that elevate women from positions of health disadvantage. What are we talking about? We are talking about policies, practices, and mindsets that support: ✅ safe access to contraception, and high quality information about contraception. ✅ safe access to pregnancy termination, because abortion is health care. ✅ safe access to high quality antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care - both physical and mental. ✅ breastfeeding education and support. ✅ adequate paid maternity leave. ✅ facilities and time for breastfeeding mums to continue to breastfeed or pump milk after returning to work. Leveling the playing field involves building systems to elevate the unwittingly and unintentionally disadvantaged. This day, and every day, let's aim for equity - not equality - for women. #investinwomen #iwd2024 ##whofides 📌 All content and opinions expressed in this post and on this forum are entirely my own, and do not represent the views of any organization with which I'm affiliated.

No Uterus? No Opinion! Really? The Argument: Women who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth, and related health issues bring invaluable perspectives. Their firsthand accounts are crucial for shaping policies and treatments. Hence no man can have an opinion or say! I Agree that Women have been historically excluded from decision-making processes affecting their bodies. This is a glaring injustice that needs to be rectified. But think on this: - Not ALL men are idiots. - Many men are dedicated to women's health. - To dismiss their contributions outright is to ignore the progress made in women's healthcare. - Male doctors have pioneered groundbreaking treatments for ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and preterm birth. - Male researchers have developed life-saving contraceptives and maternal health interventions. - Male policymakers also have championed legislation protecting women's reproductive rights. - Many men are partners, fathers, and brothers to women. Women are their lives, the apple of their eyes. There is a bust of Sir A Lakshmanaswamy Mudaliar that sits in my almamater Madras Medical College (MMC). He was widely hailed as the Father of Obstetrics. Amongst many, he invented numerous procedures, implements and surgeries that form the foundation of Obstetrics and safe Child Birth as we know it today. He had no uterus! #womenshealth #reproductiverights #genderequality #healthcare #meninhealth #intersectionality #womenrights #humanrights #mensroles #debate #inclusion #NoUterusNoOpinion #publichealth #diversity #Politics #abortionrights #familyhealth #childbirth #Obstetrics #gynaecology World Health Organization United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Equality Now Padmini Janaki Janvi Tiwari Ann M. Richardson, MBA Aanya Wig (She/Her)

Global Foundation for Girls spotlight on 𝙏𝙚𝙬𝙖 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙞𝙧𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙨: 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀, 𝟭𝟭 𝗮𝗺 – 𝟭𝟮:𝟯𝟬 𝗽𝗺, 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗪𝗨 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲: 𝟵𝟭𝟮 𝗘. 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗻, 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗮ñ𝗼𝗹𝗮, 𝗡𝗠, 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟵 The purpose of these circles is to better understand your opinions and thoughts on the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, especially related to pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and abortion care. Your perspectives will help us create messaging that takes those views into consideration and use them in the future regarding reproductive justice programming, policy, and actions. Registration: bit.ly/TWU-listeningcircle 𝙏𝙚𝙬𝙖 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 #ListeningCircles #ReproductiveHealthcare #PregnancyLossSupport #MiscarriageSupport #AbortionCare #ReproductiveJusticeProgramming #ReproductiveJusticePolicy #ReproductiveJusticeActions #ReproductiveJusticeAdvocacy #ReproductiveJusticeMovement #GFG #globalgirlsnetwork #GFGnetwork #GFG #globalfoundationforgirls #GFGorg #globalgirls

Sobering article about #ReproductiveCoercion in Time: https://lnkd.in/dcPqcpb2. Women and girls (and anyone who can get pregnant) need to be informed and counseled on ALL contraceptive methods, including those that are long-acting -- but the decision about what method to use, if any, should absolutely be theirs, not the provider's. It's great to see the recognition of SisterSong's groundbreaking work defining and calling for #ReproductiveJustice, "the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities." And, RJ is an essential principle in every country, not just the U.S.