UN says access to contraception a human right
File photo of birth control pills (Photo by Tim Matsui/Getty Images)
Copyright Getty Images
Posted: 11/14/2012
The United Nations says access to contraception is a universal human right that could dramatically improve the lives of women and children in poor countries.
It is the first time the U.N. Population Fund's annual report explicitly describes family planning as a human right.
It effectively declares that legal, cultural and financial barriers to accessing contraception and other family planning measures are an infringement of women's rights.
The report released Wednesday isn't binding and has no legal effect on national laws.
The global body also says increasing funding for family planning by a further $4.1 billion could save $11.3 billion annually in health bills for mothers and newborns in poor countries.
The U.N. doesn't count abortion among the measures.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
PRINT
World News
-
Afghan police chief shot dead
Motorcycle-riding gunmen assassinated a police chief in front of his house after he led an anti-Taliban campaign in western Afghanistan, an official said Saturday.
-
SKorea says NKorea fires 3 missiles
-
Report: Torture evidence found in Syria
-
Russian and American spies square off
-
Afghan blast kills 6 Americans, 15 total
-
Venezuela is running out of toilet paper
-
UN: Disaster losses higher than expected
Top Stories
-
Edward Furlong arrested in W. Hollywood
A Los Angeles sheriff's spokesman says `Terminator 2' star Edward Furlong has been arrested on suspicion of violating a restraining order filed by his ex-girlfriend.
-
Broken rail eyed in CT train crash
-
Search of apartment in ricin letter case
-
Local craft beer celebrated in OTR
-
Votto, Arroyo lead Reds over Phillies
