Sense Project
a Head & Hands initiative
-
October 19th, 2009Uncategorized0 comments
The Guttmacher Institute just released a report entitled Abortion Worldwide: A Decade of Uneven Progress. Here are some key points that stood out for me:
- The number of abortions has decreased from an estimated 45.5 million procedures in 1995 to 41.6 million in 2003. The people at Guttmacher suggest that this is the result of an increase in contraceptive use worldwide which has, in turn, diminished the number of unintended pregnancies.
-While there has been a global trend toward liberalizing abortion laws, about 40% of women still live in countries with very strict ones. And, abortion occurs at about the same rate in countries where abortion is legal and in those where it isn’t. The bottom line is that highly restrictive abortion laws do not prevent women from getting them; in fact, they just put them in harm’s way.
This all sounds great, right? Well, don’t get me wrong… I do find this report fascinating and I think that everyone should read it; but, these conclusions have already been made…like, a ZILLION times! We know this stuff and yet, it is still the subject of great controversy…
Thoughts?
Tags: abortion, contraception, Guttmacher Institute, legalization, pregnancy, reproductive health, sexual health -
October 13th, 2009Civil liberties, Education, Prevention, Science, Sex0 comments
I came across this article today. It is worth checking out for yourself. But, in any case, here are some key points and concerns:
Catholic schools in Yellowknife will not be providing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination shots to its students. Sandy Lee, minister of health and social services for the Northwest Territories does not agree with this decision and ensures that the shots will still be provided by the ministry.
That being said, many HPV types can lead to a variety of cancers, cervical cancer being the one most commonly associated with this STI. So, while the ministry will still continue to provide the shots, the Catholic School Board has just made it rather difficult for its students to obtain it.
Interestingly, the board does provide other vaccines. So, why not HPV shots? Well, apparently, they want the parents to decide if their child(ren) should get the vaccine or not. Unfortunately for them, though, if they allow other forms of immunization then this argument doesn’t really stand on its feet.
Perhaps an education campaign would have been a better way to go…Who needs more barriers?!
Tags: Catholic School, HPV, human papillomavirus, reproductive health, sexual health, STI, Vaccine, Yellowknife, youth -
October 8th, 2009Education, Events, Prevention, Sex0 comments
A national conference on sexual health is taking place in Iqaluit this week. Policy makers, Inuit leaders and health-care officials will be talking about a range of serious issues pertaining to sexual and reproductive health. To read more about what CBC News had to say about the conference, click here.
And, to learn more about Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, visit their website.
Tags: Inuit sexual health, Pauktuutit Women of Canada, reproductive health, sexual health, sexual health conference
SERVE IS COMING July 25th
Donate to the Sense Project
A Head & Hands Initiative
Head & Hands is an NDG-based community organization that offers medical, legal, and social services to youth aged 12-25.