ROUND-UP Publications

Building Civil Societies: A Guide for Social and Political Activism

Homa Hoodfar, Nelofer Pazira, 2000

This book provides cases and examples of action that ordinary people from diverse social and political contexts have taken in order to promote justice, democracy and human rights in their communities. It demonstrates that participation can be informal and initiated by the ordinary individual, and stresses that there is no universal recipe for action and that appropriate strategies will vary according to social and political context. It provides a basic guide on forms of participation for those who refuse to accept injustice, even when legitimised under the banner of culture and tradition.

Available from:

Women Living under Muslim Laws

Boite Postale 20023

34791 Grabels Cedex, France

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.wluml.org〉

Knowing our Rights: Women, Family, Law and Customs in the Muslim World

WLUML, 2003

This resource tool is a critical approach to the rights, laws and interpretations of womanhood in Muslim countries and communities. It brings together field experience, research and analysis from over 20 countries and covers topics relating to marriage and divorce including the validity of marriages, child marriages, polygyny, the status of children, and aspects of the dissolution of marriage such as financial settlements, custody and guardianship. The text looks at the diversity and commonalities of practice across a variety of Muslim countries and communities, examining their sources, with the aim of providing knowledge for lobbying and advocacy related to women's rights within the family at both policy and community level.

Available from:

Women Living under Muslim Laws

PO Box 28445

London N19 5NZ, UK

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.wluml.org〉

Making the Link: Proceedings of Conference on Health Systems and Reproductive Health

University of Leeds, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 2003

Health system development policies have often been formulated independently of sexual and reproductive health programmes despite the extensive impact of the former on the latter. The proceedings of this conference, which was held in Leeds, UK, in September 2003, record the debates and papers which highlight the problems this has caused and consider mechanisms by which the two can become more co-ordinated. Key points include a mutual understanding of the complexity of the two areas of expertise; a need for improved communication between the two; and enhancement of joint activities with international aid and development agencies. It calls for mechanisms to monitor the effects of health system development policies on sexual and reproductive health programmes. All presentations and keynote speeches are available at the URL below.

Available from:

Centre for Population Studies,

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Web: 〈www.lshtm.ac.uk/cps/events/link〉

Risk, Morality, and Blame: A Critical Analysis of Government and US Donor Approaches to HIV Prevention Among Sex Workers in India

Avni Amin, 2004

Since 1995, the United States has contributed US$67 million to India's AIDS control programme, focusing on the states of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. This paper examines the scope and effectiveness of the strategies being used by the Government of India with bilateral development assistance from the US. It also considers whether targeted interventions, the main component of India's National AIDS Control Programme, have adequately and effectively addressed the HIV prevention needs of women sex workers in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The data reviewed highlight the limitations of models that fail to address the broader needs and rights of women, including sex workers, as human beings and the role played by gender inequities in fuelling the epidemic and the spread of HIV to the general population. This analysis is relevant to current debates on US global AIDS strategies. The US Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, passed last May, prohibits the US government from providing international AIDS funding to any organisation that does not have a policy “explicitly opposing” prostitution and sex trafficking. As with the Global Gag Rule, the new law may require organisations to sign a statement that they do not promote prostitution. The plan for implementing this legislation is still under review by the US State Department, so the operational definition of “promotion of prostitution” is unclear. Yet numerous organisations previously cited for best practices in working with women working in prostitution have already been denied US funding.

Figure 1 Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Available from:

Centre for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)

6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 910

Takoma Park MD 20912, USA

Fax: [phone]

Web: 〈http://www.genderhealth.org/AIDS.php〉

Guidelines for the Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections

World Health Organization, 2003

These updated guidelines provide a framework for the comprehensive management of patients with STIs in the context of control, prevention and care programmes for STI and HIV infection, replacing those published in 1991. They emphasise the standardisation of treatment and focus on syndromic management. The flowcharts, based on presenting symptoms, are easy to follow and recommended procedures and therapies are clearly described. Another section deals with treatment of specific infections. There is also commentary on patient education and counselling, and on managing children and adolescents with STIs. This guide would be invaluable in a primary health care facility.

Available from:

WHO Department of HIV/AIDS

1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland

Fax: [phone]

Web: 〈www.who.int/hiv〉

The Male Latex Condom: Specifications and Guidelines for Condom Procurement 2003

World Health Organization, 2004

Good quality condoms, used correctly, protect against unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of HIV and several other STIs. However, these advantages of condoms are lost if condoms leak or break. Thus, it is important for programmes to focus on quality in addition to the more normal accent on supply and use. Manufacture, purchase, storage, distribution and handling all contribute to the provision of a quality product for the user. This document details the recommended specifications on performance, design and packaging requirements for male condoms, and the tests by which they can be verified. It also has detailed guidelines for procurement and a range of useful annexes. It is mainly intended for those who are responsible for procurement, supply and promotion.

WHO Reproductive Health Library No.7

World Health Organization, 2004

This latest CD ROM contains 88 reviews and commentaries along with practical recommendations on a range of subjects. It includes a new video on caesarean section technique and an introductory training course on “Making evidence-based decisions in reproductive health”. Controversial issues addressed include vaginal disinfection during labour for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, male circumcision to prevent HIV transmission, and techniques for the interruption of tubal patency for female sterilisation. The Library is available free on the internet and as a CD ROM to middle- and low-income countries.

Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use

World Health Organization, 2003

This document is intended for use by policymakers, family planning programme managers and the scientific community as a reference for national family planning/reproductive health programmes, providing an informed basis on which to prepare appropriate guidelines for service delivery of contraceptives. It covers the complete range of contraceptive methods including a variety of hormonal combinations and delivery systems, IUDs, barrier methods, emergency contraception, sterilisation and traditional methods such as fertility awareness and withdrawal. Clear indications and contra-indications for the use of each method are provided. This second edition has already been updated but the third edition will not be available for some time. However, a summary of the changes made between these two editions is available at: 〈www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/MEC-3/index〉.

Available from:

WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research

1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.who.int〉

Safe Motherhood Strategies: A Review of the Evidence

Vincent de Brouwere, Wim van Lerberghe, Studies in Health Service Organisation and Policy No.17, 2001

This CD-ROM, in English, French and Spanish, contains 19 scientific background papers which review the published and grey literature on a range of safe motherhood topics. It is easy to navigate and provides links to relevant data.

Available from:

John Snow International UK

Centre for Sexual & Reproductive Health

325 Highgate Studios

53-79 Highgate Road

London NW5 1TL, UK

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.jsiuk.com〉

Skilled Care during Childbirth: Information Kit

Safe Motherhood Inter-Agency Group, 2002

This kit explains why governments should invest in skilled care, and discusses the impact of skilled care on reducing maternal deaths and the issues that need to be considered when designing and implementing policies and programmes to expand skilled care during childbirth. It describes the essential competencies of skilled care providers; laws, policies and infrastructure requirements; the training and supervision of attendants; and monitoring and evaluation of changes. It draws throughout on successful strategies from a number of countries which have succeeded in lowering maternal mortality and improving coverage of skilled care during childbirth. Available free from the website or by post, in English, French or Spanish.

Available from:

Safe Motherhood Inter-Agency Group

588 Broadway, Suite 503

New York NY 10012, USA

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.safemotherhood.org〉

Emergency Obstetric Care

Averting Maternal Death and Disability, Issue 8, 2003

This issue reports on the 2003 conference on emergency obstetric care held in Kuala Lumpur. It highlights the key points raised and gives brief outlines of the plenary sessions. There are also two CDs available, the first containing the full conference proceedings and the second which provides training resources, tools and reference materials.

Available from:

AMDD, Heilbrunn Department for Population and Family Health

Mailman School of Public Health

Columbia University

60 Haven Avenue B-3

New York NY 10032, USA

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.amdd.hs.columbia.edu〉

Safe Motherhood Interventions in Africa

African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2003;7(3)

Despite 18 years of the international Safe Motherhood Initiative, maternal mortality in Africa is rising. The reasons for this are complex, but include the rise of HIV/AIDS and poor access to contraception, safe legal abortion and skilled care during pregnancy and birth. This journal issue has nine articles relating to the prevention of maternal mortality, including one on a method to accurately estimate levels of maternal mortality in remote rural communities, three on abortion in Nigeria and two on the role and limitations of antenatal services in reducing maternal mortality in Africa.

Available from:

Women's Health and Action Research Centre

4 Alofoje Avenue, Off Uwasota Road

PO Box 10231, Ugbowo,

Benin City, Nigeria

Web: 〈www.nigeriainfonet.com/Directory/health_wellnessll.htm〉

Castillos de Arena en el Camino Hacia la Modernidad

Alicia Ely Yamin, 2003

This study focuses on the availability and use of essential obstetric care in Peru, using 1997 WHO/UNICEF/UN indicators and interviews with key donors and stakeholders. It looks at access to care in a human rights framework, discussing its relationship to health sector reforms and maternal mortality debates, and highlights how this approach can change our views of these issues. It argues that these guidelines can be used to assess progress under various human right treaties, and explains how this framework offers a more relevant model for understanding maternal mortality in Peru from that previously used.

Available from:

Centro de la Mujer Peruana Flora Tristán

Parque Hernán Velarde 42

Lima 1, Peru

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.flora.org.pe〉

L'avortement en Afrique

Centre Population et Développement, 2003

This CD-Rom reviews the literature on abortion in Africa since 1990, with over 600 searchable items organised into six subject areas. These articles provide a basis for analysing the relationship between abortion and other methods of family planning, both in the light of the law and of limited access to other methods of fertility control. They also highlight the difficulty of collecting accurate information in those countries where abortion is illegal and therefore performed clandestinely or for spurious medical reasons. Available free and online.

Available from:

Ceped–Service de Diffusion

Campus du Jardin Tropical de Paris

45 bis Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle

94736 Nogent sur Marne Cedex, France

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈http://ceped.cirad.fr〉

Early Abortions: Promoting Real Choice for Women

Caroline Mawer, Margaret McGovern, 2003

This report on first trimester abortions in the UK focuses on modernisation and changes that are achievable within the current law. It suggests ways of improving local action planning and access to services, of integrating abortion services more fully with other health services, and of obtaining the appropriate workforce skills mix. Highlighting the differences in early abortion rates across the country, it recommends that there should be a target waiting time of only 72 hours for an abortion and that at least 90% of abortions should be paid for by the public health service. It challenges the inflexibility of the current law, which obstructs easy referral and access to abortion, and argues for changes which would allow early abortions to be performed by nurses at community level. It also proposes that the decision to have an abortion should rest with the woman herself, not with the attending doctors, as currently required by law.

Available from:

FPA

2–12 Pentonville Road

London N1 9FP, UK

Fax: [phone]

Web: 〈www.fpa.org.uk〉

Killing for Life: The Apocalyptic Narrative of Pro-Life Politics

Carol Mason, 2002

This book is a considered analysis of anti-abortion politics, showing how killing abortion providers, can come about as an extension of ideology. It looks at the narrative and rhetorical strategies used by the “pro-life” movement in the US, and shows how their strategies for opposing abortion have reshaped the framework of political debate in this area.

Available from:

Cornell University Press

512 East State Street

Ithaca NY 14850, USA

Web: 〈www.cornellpress.cornell.edu〉

Abortion in the USA and the UK

Colin Francome, 2004

This book chronicles the different routes taken by the USA and the UK during the abortion debate, looking at the experiences of each country before, during and after the legalisation of abortion. It argues that the differences between the two countries may be the key to understanding the continued controversy that surrounds current attempts to decriminalise abortion in much of the developing world and discusses how to preserve legal abortion in those countries where it is currently being challenged.

Available from:

Ashgate Publishing Ltd

Gower House, Croft Road

Aldershot, GU11 3HR, UK

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.ashgate.com〉

What You Need to Know about the Global Gag Rule Restrictions: An Unofficial Guide

Population Action International, 2001

This guide and CD outline the requirements of the ‘Global Gag Rule’ the set of restrictions which prohibits US financial assistance for family planning to NGOs in developing countries that provide or support safe abortions. A companion pamphlet, Emergency Contraception and the Global Gag Rule: An Unofficial Guide (2002), explains that EC is not considered abortion and therefore NGOs may provide it without impacting on their status for financial aid.

Available from:

Population Action International

1300 19th Street, NW

Washington DC 20036, USA

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.populationaction.org〉

Breaking the Silence: The Global Gag Rule's Impact on Unsafe Abortion

Center for Reproductive Rights, 2003

This report gives a voice to advocates in countries where the Gag Rule has impeded efforts to reduce unsafe abortion. Researchers conducted more than 100 in-depth interviews in Ethiopia, Kenya, Peru and Uganda with a broad cross-section of participants, including NGOs that have accepted USAID funding and are therefore “gagged” from advocating safe abortion. It explains how the Gag Rule skews the abortion debate with bias and misinformation, condemns women to unsafe abortions, reduces access to other reproductive health services and demonstrates how the rule generates a climate of censorship where individuals are afraid to discuss unsafe abortion, impedes abortion law reform, dictates NGO policy, infringes on national sovereignty and curtails participation of civil society in democracy.

Women of the World: Laws and Policies affecting their Reproductive Lives–South Asia

Center for Reproductive Rights, 2004

This report is an extensive examination of the laws and policies that influence women's reproductive health in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and makes recommendations for action. It is a useful resource for those interested in establishing state accountability of violations of reproductive rights.

Available from:

Center for Reproductive Rights

120 Wall Street

New York NY 10005, USA

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: 〈www.reproductiverights.org/publications.html〉