This statement was delivered by APA ED at the Human Rights Council on the occassion of the "Violence and its impact on the right to health - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (A/HRC/50/28:)' presentation to the Human Rights Council on 20 June 2022.
First of all, we welcome the report from the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. The report clearly outlines how gender-based violence, including violence towards LGBTIQ+ people and women, undermines the health and wellbeing of millions arounds the world.
We appreciate the non-binary approach that the Special Rapporteur has taken, highlighting the intersections with other forms of violence such as colonialism, racism, and ableism.
Sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation have historically been motives for exclusion, discrimination and violence. This leads to increased barriers to access to health services, even if they are available. In many cases, there are violations of sexual and reproductive health and rights and bodily autonomy, in particular for young women and girls, and LGBTIQ+.
There is overwhelming evidence that GBV has severe impacts on physical, mental health and wellbeing in particular for marginalized communities, and we commend the Special Rapporteur for highlighting this issue utilizing the concept of substantive equality.
Special Rapporteur, we would like to ask how we can ensure bodily autonomy for all women, girls and non- binary people, using the lessons learned from the COVID19 pandemic and the emergence of concepts like SRHR self-care?
