WUNRN
REPORT OF THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR
ON THE RIGHT TO HEALTH TO THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 2013
CHILDREN & THE RIGHT TO HEALTH
Direct Link to Full 19-Page Report:
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session22/A-HRC-22-31_en.pdf - Type size larger for easier reading.
Excerpt Examples from Report
with Special Significance for GIRLS and their MOTHERS.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- Page 5
18. .....Gender-based
discrimination is particularly pervasive, affecting a wide
range
of outcomes, from sex ratio imbalances to gender stereotyping and
access
to child health-related services. Attention should be paid to the
differing needs of girls and boys and the impact of gender-related social
norms
and values. In many countries, gender inequality and discrimination
influence the girl child's access to nutrition and health care from a very
early
age, which has long-lasting impact on her health and development.
Similarly,
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity has a negative impact on the implementation of the child's right to
health.
Pregnancy, Delivery and Post-Natal
Care - Page 8
29. Maternal and child
undernutrition, conditions that are inextricably linked,
is
estimated to be responsible for 35% of child deaths and 11% of the
total
global disease burden. Adequate nutrition and nutritional supplements
for
pregnant women are critical to ensure healthy foetal and infant
development
and to reduce the child's susceptibility to infectious diseases
in infancy
and chronic diseases in adulthood.
32.Increasing skilled attendance at
birth and access to emergency obstetric
care
services can improve child survival by reducing stillbirths and saving
maternal and
newborn lives.....
Child Mortality - Page 8
34. ....The risk of a child dying
before her or his 5th birthday in low-income
countries
is 18 times higher than in high-income countries. In all settings,
this
risk is higher in rural areas, less educated communities, and poorer
households.
Harmful Practices - Page 10
46. Certain practices condoned by
parents, relatives, even religious and
community leaders, may have a detrimental impact on the health of
children,
such as female genital mutilation and cutting, forced feeding,
child
marriage, acid attacks, honour killings, breast ironing, virginity
testing,
harmful initiation rites, son preference, sex selection, infanticide,
dowry, bonded labour and sexual slavery. Measures should be taken to
abolish them, in accordance with Article 24.3 of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child.
Sexual and Reproductive Health -
Page 10
48. Approximately 16 million
girls aged 15 to 19 years, give birth every year;
adolescent
girls run a particularly high risk of complications during
pregnancy
and delivery. Poor maternal health causes 7 per cent of female
deaths in the 10 to 24 age group, and underlies a high proportion of global
disability.
49. The right to sexual and
reproductive health is a fundamental part of the
right
to health......Ensuring the highest attainable standard of health
and
well-being of adolescents requires comprehensive sexuality education
and
full access to confidential youth-friendly and evidence-based
sexual
and
reproductive health services. Adolescent-friendly comprehensive
sexuality
education can help to address the high rates of teenage
pregnancy
and the additional risks of associated morbidity and mortality.
