In June 2010, HRLN, in conjunction with a number of its partner organisations, held a National Consultation on “Legal Interventions to Strengthen Accountability for Maternal Health and Reproductive Rights”. The consultation was the third of its kind since the Reproductive Rights Initiative (RRI) was set up in 2008.
The objectives of the consultation were;
- to debate and discuss further potential for using public interest litigation (PIL) as well as other legal strategies and advocacy efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.
- to strengthen redress mechanisms and Government accountability.
- to capitalise on the work done and relationships forged throughout the past year by bringing together key players, with their wealth of experience and expertise in the reproductive rights and maternal health care field.
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to discuss lessons learned, best practice, and ways to move forward.
The consultation attracted participants from impressively diverse and multi-disciplinary backgrounds including: journalists, social activists, civil society and grass roots representatives, lawyers and medical personnel. Throughout the two day period, 29 presentations were made under 6 panels and a number of informal “focus groups” sat to discuss issues of particular concern. The dialogue provided a comprehensive overview of many of the contemporary issues underlying work in the field of maternal health and reproductive rights and yielded a number of concrete proposals for future PILs and thematic areas of focus.
It is HRLN’s intention to reflect upon the concerns and issues raised during the presentation and discussion process and to utilize this dialogue to develop a capacity building programme and progressive strategy for future work.
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