March 2nd is marked as She Decides Day, a day to celebrate and advocate for women’s and girls’ right to make decisions about their own bodies, health, and lives.
This day is observed globally to raise awareness about the impact of restrictive laws and policies on women’s health and to support the movement towards empowering women and girls to make their own choices.
Background
She Decides is a global movement launched in response to the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule (GGR) by the United States government in 2017. The GGR is a policy that prohibits non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive US funding from providing or even discussing abortion as a family planning option. This policy not only restricts access to safe abortion but also has far-reaching implications for the provision of other reproductive healthcare services, including contraception, maternal and child health, and HIV prevention.
In response to the reinstatement of the GGR, a group of governments, organizations, and individuals came together to launch She Decides. The movement aims to support women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and to fill the funding gap left by the US government’s withdrawal from global health funding.
Importance of She Decides Day
She Decides Day is important because it raises awareness about the impact of restrictive laws and policies on women’s and girls’ health and well-being. It emphasizes the importance of women’s and girls’ right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives, and the need to provide them with access to the information and services they need to make informed decisions.
The movement also highlights the importance of international solidarity and support for women’s and girls’ rights. By coming together on She Decides Day, people around the world can show their support for women’s and girls’ right to make decisions about their own health and lives, regardless of their location, economic status, or political situation.
Activities on She Decides Day
On She Decides Day, people around the world participate in a range of activities to raise awareness about the importance of SRHR and the need to support women’s and girls’ right to make their own decisions. These activities include:
- Organizing rallies, marches, and protests to demand better access to SRHR services and to raise awareness about the impact of restrictive laws and policies on women’s health.
- Hosting discussions and forums to provide a platform for women and girls to share their experiences and perspectives on SRHR issues.
- Sharing stories and experiences on social media using the hashtags #SheDecides and #SheDecidesDay to raise awareness about the importance of SRHR and the need to support women’s and girls’ right to make their own decisions.
- Making donations to organizations that support women’s and girls’ access to SRHR services and rights.
She Decides Day is an important day to raise awareness about the impact of restrictive laws and policies on women’s and girls’ health and to support their right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. The She Decides movement emphasizes the importance of international solidarity and support for women’s and girls’ rights, and the need to fill the funding gap left by the US government’s withdrawal from global health funding. By participating in activities on She Decides Day, people around the world can show their support for women’s and girls’ right to make decisions about their own health and lives, and help to ensure that every woman and girl has access to the information and services they need to make informed decisions.
