Reproductive and sexual health

European Parliament for more Health Equity in Economic Crisis

Today, happenchance on the International Women’s Day promoting equality between genders, the European Parliament voted in its plenary sitting in Strasbourg on its own-initiative report “Reducing health inequalities in the EU: Solidarity in health” drafted by Edite Estrela MEP (S&D, Portugal). The report – a reply to the Commission’s Communication on from October 2009 – proposes action from the EU institutions and the Member States to promote more (...)

European Women’s Lobby public hearing in the European Parliament on “Inequalities in access to health care services for undocumented migrants – including pregnant women and children”.

On the Human Rights Day – 8 December 2010 – European Women’s Lobby (EWL) organised a public hearing in the European Parliament (EP) to raise awareness on the issue of existing and growing inequalities in access to heath care services for undocumented migrants, and especially for pregnant women and children. Joined by the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Medicins du Monde, the HUMA network, the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (...)

Health inequalities report adopted in the ENVI Committee - EPHA analysis of the vote.

On 31 January 2011, after being voted on in the ENVI Committee, a consolidated report on "Reducing health inequalities in the EU" by Edite Estrela MEP (S&D, Portugal) was published. In the months leading to the final report, EPHA was strongly involved in the process of monitoring the development and health inequalities debate, analysing the draft report and opinions from different EP Committees, and finally sending in the amendments to the draft report. EPHA was pleased to see its (...)

The Council refuses the European Parliament’s amendments on the maternity leave directive.

On 6 December, EU social affairs ministers of the Council rejected the European Parliament’s demands on the maternity leave directive. The length of leave (20 weeks) and the renumeration of mothers (full pay) are the two issues on which the Council’s decision differs from the one taken by the EP. During its 3053rd meeting in Brussels on 6 December, EU social affairs ministers held a policy debate on the draft directive aimed at improving the protection of pragnant worksers and (...)

Increased action by the EU on HIV/AIDS

Background information on EU action in the field of HIV/AIDS The European Union was one of the founding member, in 2002, of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and is today the largest donor, contributing to 52% of the GFATM resources. EU programmes such as the Research Framework Programme, the Health Programme and the Development Cooperation Instrument are financing projects in the field of HIV/AIDS, the EU acts through the strenthening of health systems (...)

Impact of criminalisation of HIV transmission in Europe

In the context of current European Parliament activities related to Human Rights and AIDS, as well as the 2010 World AIDS Day, IPPF EN, the International Planned Parenthood Federation coordinated a joint statement emphasising the impact of the criminalisation of HIV transmission. The statement, which has been endorsed by numerous not-for-profit organisations working in the field, is available below. "From the UK to the USA, from Sweden to Australia, criminal laws are increasingly being (...)

The role of youth in public health promotion - Europe and Asia

Transnational outbreaks of infectious diseases like SARS or H1N1, the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS, as well as a growing number of non-communicable diseases related to the globalising world all serve to illustrate the diverse yet common global health threats faced by European and Asian societies, and their impacts on economic and social stability. What can health movements on both continents learn from each other? What role could youth play in public health promotion to truly and (...)

EPHA Voting Recommendation on Maternity Leave

In light of an upcoming vote on maternity leave, the EPHA Secretariat sent out a letter to MEPs in the FEMM, ENVI, and EMPL Committees urging them to strengthen the framework for maternal and infant health through voting for amendments protection and promote breastfeeding and optimal infant feeding practices, increase the duration of maternity leave , and ensure that mothers receive full payment during maternity leave. Brussels, 19/10/10 Dear MEP, On October 20, you will vote on the (...)

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Working Group - July 2010

EPHA organised a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Working Group on Friday 8 July 2010. The EPHA Secretariat organised a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Working Group on Friday 8 July 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the follow-up to the EPHA briefing note on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights which addresses issues such as gender equality, access to services, mental health, discrimination and health related inequalities. All members are welcome to (...)

European Parliament hearing on the EU towards the UN summit on the MDGs

Alliance2015 - a partnership of cross-European non-government organizations working in the field of development cooperation - urged the European Commission (EC) at a hearing in the European Parliament on June 1st to show bold and responsible leadership in the preparations towards the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). EPHA was present during the hearing. The sixth 2015-Watch Report "The EU’s Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals. Keeping the Goals (...)