Fortify accountability fulcrums like UPR to deliver on gender equality and right to health
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SHOBHA SHUKLA
Contd from previous issue
UPR enables us to monitor the commitments related to maternal health and other sexual and reproductive health and rights which are made and accepted by a government, what laws, policies or strategies have been adopted or strengthened, and review if maternal mortality rates declined and for which populations. In terms of turning commitments into accountability, the UPR provides authoritative language to connect local realities to international promises. It strengthens advocacy narratives too,” she further added.
In January 2026, UPR review took place in some countries like Rwanda and St Lucia. Likewise, in May 2026, UPR review would take place in Namibia, Mozambique, Somalia, Seychelles, Eswatini, among others.
Philippines did not accept UPR recommendations to decriminalise abortions
"In recent Universal Periodic Review, despite receiving direct urgent recommendations to decriminalise abortion and pass the equality law, the Philippine government did not accept these recommendations, dismissing them as contrary to our so-called, national 'culture' and 'religious values'," said Pauline Fernandez, Coordinator, Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN). PINSAN’s campaign calls to decriminalise abortion in the Philippines. To be contd
Contd from previous issue
UPR enables us to monitor the commitments related to maternal health and other sexual and reproductive health and rights which are made and accepted by a government, what laws, policies or strategies have been adopted or strengthened, and review if maternal mortality rates declined and for which populations. In terms of turning commitments into accountability, the UPR provides authoritative language to connect local realities to international promises. It strengthens advocacy narratives too,” she further added.
In January 2026, UPR review took place in some countries like Rwanda and St Lucia. Likewise, in May 2026, UPR review would take place in Namibia, Mozambique, Somalia, Seychelles, Eswatini, among others.
Philippines did not accept UPR recommendations to decriminalise abortions
"In recent Universal Periodic Review, despite receiving direct urgent recommendations to decriminalise abortion and pass the equality law, the Philippine government did not accept these recommendations, dismissing them as contrary to our so-called, national 'culture' and 'religious values'," said Pauline Fernandez, Coordinator, Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN). PINSAN’s campaign calls to decriminalise abortion in the Philippines. To be contd