Will 80th UNGA theme of #BetterTogether unite all world leaders on safe abortion rights?

"Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights" is the theme of 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Would it unite world leaders to stop anti-rights and anti-gender pushbacks and deliver on the promises of gender equality and human right to health - where no one is left behind - is yet to be seen.

“Access to abortion is a human rights issue” says UN SR on Right To Health

“Sexual and reproductive health rights are an integral element of the right to health. Yet we know when we are speaking specifically about abortion care, that obstacles exist. They are interrelated and entrenched and operate at different levels in clinical care, at the level of health systems and in the underlying determinants of health. Abortion is health care. Access to abortion is a human rights issue. Full stop.” These are the words of Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Right To Health, who gave an opening address at SHE & Rights Anniversary Special session ahead of 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Contraception Day (26 September) and Safe Abortion Day (28 September).

[video] Abortion rights are human rights

80th UNGA must act to stop regressive pushbacks against health and gender

By committing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2015), all government leaders had promised health and wellbeing (SDG-3) and gender equality (SDG-5) by 2030 “where no one is left behind.” Two-third along the way in 2025, writing on the wall is clear: promises are not being kept.

[video] Gender equality and human right to health are inextricably linked, says UN Special Rapporteur on Right To Health

SHE & Rights | Abortion rights are human rights

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[Watch the recording] Ahead of International Safe Abortion Day (28 September) and World Contraception Day (26 September), SHE & Rights session on 5th September 2025, Friday, would be held on the theme: "Abortion rights are human rights."

Are health services sensitive to needs of young persons in all their diversities?

[हिंदी] How many healthcare facilities have sign language or braille interpretation, ramps or other acutely needed support for people with different forms of disabilities? Even health awareness and disease prevention campaigns are seldom in sign language, braille or visual communication medium, says Nishant Kumar, Coordinator of Y-PEER Nepal and Member, Working Group on Disabilities and 2030 Agenda.

[video] UNGA 2025: Only 64 months left to deliver on SDG-3 and SDG-5: It is time for Accountability

UNGA 2025: Only 64 months left to deliver on SDG-3 and SDG-5: It is time for Accountability

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[Watch the recording] Governments committed to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. As we cross the two-thirds mark this year on the road towards delivering on Agenda 2030, let us review where are we on the promises of gender equality and human right to health.

[video] SDG-3 & SDG-5 under youth lens

SHE & Rights | SDG-3 and SDG-5 under youth lens

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Ahead of International Youth Day and International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples, and in lead up to UN General Assembly where SDG-3 and SDG-5 both are under review this year, be welcome to join us in SHE & Rights session on the theme: "SDG-3 and SDG-5 under youth lens."

Protect the lifelines of youth and community-led HIV programmes

Youth-led, rights-based and gender transformative HIV response is key. “Community-led programmes are lifelines of the HIV response, reaching those most in need. As international aid shrinks, these lifelines are the first to disappear. We must protect them,” said UNAIDS. One such lifeline is youth-led programmes for HIV prevention and treatment. We need to protect it.

[video] Gender equality is key to Africa's future

Right wing policies threaten gender equality and health security

Young people call for all sexual and reproductive health services including safe abortion rights 

Donald Trump’s presidency is likely to have far-reaching consequences for sexual and reproductive health, bodily autonomy and human rights worldwide. He has already withdrawn USA’s financial support to the UN health agency World Health Organization (WHO), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer share its invaluable expertise with the WHO. Also all ongoing (as well as future) projects funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID) have been put on immediate hold. Many of these are lifesaving health programmes, including those directly related to sexual and reproductive health services.

[video] Sexual and reproductive health with equity and rights for the young people

SHE & Rights | Sexual & reproductive health with equity & rights for the young people

Register for SHE & Rights session on 24th January

The fourth session of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity and Rights) will be led by the young people on the theme: "Sexual and reproductive health with equity and rights for the young people."

Engaging youth in tackling antimicrobial resistance to protect health and food security

[watch the launch of AMR toolkit for youth engagement] 

Youth are critical change-makers not only as future prescribers and users of antimicrobials but also as influencers of the behaviour of their peers, parents and community. Strengthening youth engagement in our response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can go a long way in addressing this global threat that is directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths and contributes to nearly 5 million deaths per year, apart from causing a loss of USD 3.4 trillion annually to global economy.

SHE & Rights: Gender equality, disability rights, and ending gender-based violence

[register] Third session of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity and Rights) will be held on the theme: "Gender equality, disability rights, and ending gender-based violence" to mark the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd December).

Hospital-acquired infections are fuelling antimicrobial resistance

[watch the interview] When we go to seek healthcare in hospitals or other healthcare settings, getting infected with hospital-acquired infections instead, is not part of the deal. “Why are hospital-acquired infections so acceptable?” rightly questions Dr Nour Shamas, a Lebanese infectious disease clinical pharmacist, who is also part of the World Health Organization (WHO) Task Force of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Survivors.

[video] When her mother's UTI caused by drug-resistant bacteria changed her life