Legal and ethical perspectives on delivery of reproductive and sexual health services in the countries of eastern Europe and the CIS (countries with economies in transition, Europe).
International human rights conferences have repeatedly declared that reproductive and sexual health and choice are human rights entitled to protection and respect. This is no less true in the countries of Eastern Europe and the New Independent States (NIS). It was widely believed that the dissolution of the former Soviet Union and of Communist rule in Eastern Europe would lead to conditions of greater freedom, health and prosperity and to a time of greater respect for reproductive health and rights of choice. In fact, that has not happened; in some respects, the situation in these countries is now worse than before. This article examines the current state of reproductive and sexual health in these countries and several of the reasons why conditions, generally speaking, have not improved since the transition. It closes by identifying some suggestions for positive change and some resources for reproductive health advocacy in these countries.
Belhadj-el Ghouayel
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UNFPA, New York, NY, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017517:Commonwealth of Independent States; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004989:Ethics; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*