Maternal health: France
Karen
Maclean's Magazine
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/03/18/maternal-health-france/
I’m going to be parsing the prime minister’s comments on this whole no-
condoms-for-Africa thing in a few minutes, but first, partly from
courtesy (because I asked and because good people took a day to find
out) and partly for completeness, I’m going to add the French
embassy’s response to the question I was putting around the embassy
circuit yesterday, which was, roughly, huh?
A spokesman wrote to me this morning, and here’s my translation of
what that message said:
“We are right in the process of discussing with Canada and other G8
members about the Canadian initiative on maternal and child health. A
reunion was held on March 8 and 9 and others will take place in the
months ahead as the G8 approaches, June 25 and 26.
“On this major question whose scope is very wide, France believes a
priority must be put, among other things, on reproductive and sexual
care and services, including voluntary family planning. This is a well-
known position which we defend in every international forum and which
is also upheld by French NGOs.
“Here is a document which sums up our priorities and actions on
health. [The document makes no mention of abortion -- pw]
“Like Canada, France is a signatory of the Beijing Platform which
provides for the respect of women’s right to sexual and reproductive
health.”
It’s worth quoting the relevant paragraph from that 1995 Beijing
Platform, which is complex but telling, in full:
“In the light of paragraph 8.25 of the Programme of Action of the
International Conference on Population and Development, which states:
“In no case should abortion be promoted as a method of family
planning. All Governments and relevant intergovernmental and non-
governmental organizations are urged to strengthen their commitment to
women’s health, to deal with the health impact of unsafe abortion [16]
as a major public health concern and to reduce the recourse to
abortion through expanded and improved family-planning services.
Prevention of unwanted pregnancies must always be given the highest
priority and every attempt should be made to eliminate the need for
abortion. Women who have unwanted pregnancies should have ready access
to reliable information and compassionate counselling. Any measures or
changes related to abortion within the health system can only be
determined at the national or local level according to the national
legislative process. In circumstances where abortion is not against
the law, such abortion should be safe. In all cases, women should have
access to quality services for the management of complications arising
from abortion. Post-abortion counselling, education and family-
planning services should be offered promptly, which will also help to
avoid repeat abortions”, consider reviewing laws containing punitive
measures against women who have undergone illegal abortions;”