Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Podcast

In this episode we hear from Sundari Ravindran, Senior Editor of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) Journal and Emma Pitchforth, Executive Editor of the SRHM Journal.They introduce our newest call for papers — one that focuses on a topic as urgent as ever: universal access to abortion care. This call builds on the legacy of SRHM but also responds to the current moment. This episode is a chance for us to share more about the thinking behind the call, what we’re hoping to achieve, and how you can be involved. Whether you’re a researcher, activist, advocate, or someone working in service delivery, we invite you to contribute to this important collection.Read the full call for papers at srhm.org.

This episode of the SRHM Podcast is an audio recording of the paper, 'Educating ideal neoliberal citizens: discourses of agency and responsibility in comprehensive sexuality education' read by the author, Sarah Lewinger, and published in the SRHM Journal in October 2023. This paper includes an initial review of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) interventions in the global south and a call to action to reimagine CSE as transformative praxis, "which does not teach students to individually aspire to sexual “respectability” but to demand structural change to ensure more equitable sexual health for all". Please note that references, citations and tables have been removed from this audio recording for ease of listening. Useful links:Read the full paper: Educating ideal neoliberal citizens: discourses of agency and responsibility in comprehensive sexuality education by Sarah Lewinger at srhmjournal.orgSubmit a paper to the SRHM Journal: https://www.srhm.org/call-for-papers/

In this episode, we explore the urgent impact of HIV funding cuts on trans health—and the ripple effects beyond. We hear from three advocates working at the frontlines of trans health and rights across the globe.Joining us are:Anil Padavatan (he/she), Health Lead at Global Action for Trans Equality, based in South Africa.Amanita Calderón-Cifuentes (she/her), HIV Research and Advocacy Officer at Trans Europe and Central Asia, based in Germany.Adrian King Kibe (he/him), Programme Consultant at East Africa Trans Health & Advocacy Network, based in Kenya.Together, they share insights from their work, reflect on the consequences of recent cuts to HIV resources, and highlight what’s needed to ensure sustainable, trans-led responses moving forward.Useful links:Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE) Innovation Lab: https://gate.ngo/knowledge-portal/news/open-letter-gate-innovation-lab/Trans Europe and Central Asia (TGEU): www.tgeu.orgEast Africa Trans Health & Advocacy Network (EATHAN): https://eathan.org/

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters podcast! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating study published in the SRHM Journal titled “Attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health and rights and their associations with reproductive agency: a population-based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.”Joining us to discuss this important research is Karin Båge, a Phd Student at the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Useful links:Read the full paper: Attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health and rights and their associations with reproductive agency: a population-based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia, Kenya, and ZimbabweInstructions for authorsSRHM Call for Papers

In this episode, we’re tackling a pressing issue: the maternal health disparities faced by Black and Latine women—and how systemic barriers within healthcare contribute to these inequities.We’re honored to have two special guests with us today, Lucia Guerra-Reyes, Associate Professor, and Ruhun Wasata, a PhD Candidate in Health Behaviour, both at the Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington. We talk to these authors of a compelling new study published in the SRHM Journal: Provider Perspectives on Maternal Care Challenges for Black and Latine Women in Indiana. Useful links:Read the full paper at srhmjournal.org: Provider perspectives on maternal care challenges for Black and Latine women in Indiana: a qualitative interview studyInstructions for authors to publish in the SRHM JournalMore papers about maternal health from the SRHM Journal: https://www.srhm.org/key-topics/

In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking study titled "Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to sexual and reproductive health services for women and gender-diverse people with disabilities in Canada: a qualitative study." published in the SRHM Journal. Joining us are Meredith Evans, Medical Anthropologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Keat Welsh, Peer Researcher and disabled Artist, Activist and Educator, both in the Department of Health and Society at the University of Toronto Scarborough.Useful links:Full paper at srhmjournal.org: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to sexual and reproductive health services for women and gender-diverse people with disabilities in Canada: a qualitative study.More SRHM papers related to disability: https://www.srhm.org/key-topics/Instructions for authorsCall for PapersFind out more about Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters at srhm.org

We’re back with another important conversation that demands attention. Today, we’re diving into acrucial yet often overlooked issue: post-partumobstetric violence—and how the pharmaceuticalization of post-partum depression treatment might be contributing to it.We’re honored to have two brilliant guests with us, the authors of a compelling new commentary in the SRHM Journal: Alicia Ely Yamin – Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School and Adjunct Senior Lecturer on Health Policy and Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Lisa Cosgrove – Clinical Psychologist and Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and Faculty fellow at UMas Boston’s Applied Ethics Centre. Useful links: Commentary: Extending the concept of “obstetric violence” to post-partum experiences: cautions regarding the “first ever” pill for post-partum depressionSRHM Call for Papers Instructions for authors to publish in the SRHM JournalSRHM Blog

On Tuesday 25 February 2025, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) hosted an insightful webinar where we discussed the global impact of the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).The webinar brought together global experts to discuss the far-reaching consequences of the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on SRHR. The discussion highlighted the devastating impact of funding freezes, restrictive policies, and ideological attacks on sexual and reproductive healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights, and global health programmes.ModeratorEszter KismődiChief Executive, Sexual and Reproductive Health MattersPanellists: Mindy Jane RosemanDirector of International Law Programs and Director of the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women’s RightsYale Law SchoolSRHM Associate EditorOnikepe OwolabiDirector of International ResearchGuttmacher InstituteAnand TamangDirectorCenter for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities (CREHPA)Alice M. MillerProfessor in the Practice, Yale School of Public Health; Associate Professor (adjunct) Yale Law School; co-Director, Global Health Justice Partnership of the Yale Law and Public Health SchoolsErika CastellanosExecutive DirectorGlobal Action for Trans Equality (GATE)Allan MalecheExecutive DirectorKenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network (KELIN)SRHM Editorial and Advisory Board MemberLuisa CabalDirector, Regional Support Team for Latin America and the CaribbeanUNAIDSSRHM Editorial and Advisory Board MemberUseful links:Watch the recording of the webinar SRHM Instructions for Authors SRHM Call for Papers

In this episode we have the privilege of hosting a crucial conversation with the authors of a thought-provoking new commentary published in the SRHM Journal: Lessons from Kenya on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy-Making: The Need to Centre Voices from Africa in Global Discourses.Joining us are three powerhouse leaders in the SRHR space—Evelyn Opondo, Africa Regional Director at the International Center for Research on Women; Jade Maina, Executive Director of the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health; and Nelly Munyasia, Executive Director of the Reproductive Health Network Kenya—all joining us from Nairobi.The podcast discusses the importance of centering African voices in global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) policy-making. It highlights insights from a commentary on Kenya’s SRHR landscape, particularly in response to the rising global anti-rights movement. Useful links: Full commentary: Lessons from Kenya on sexual reproductive health and rights policy-making: the need to centre voices from Africa in global discoursesSRHM Journal page: srhmjournal.orgSRHM Call for Papers

In this episode, SRHM Associate Editor Nina Sun sits down with SRHM Journal Executive Editor, Emma Pitchforth, to discuss the key highlights from the 2024 Open Issue of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Journal. They dive into special collections focusing on sexual pleasure and abortion rights, explore the current call for papers on sexual pleasure, war, and armed conflict, and preview an upcoming call for papers related to abortion rights. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on these critical topics in sexual and reproductive health and rights.Useful links:SRHM Journal Open Issue:srhmjournal.orgCall for PapersInstructions for authors

In this episode of the SRHM Podcast we are honoured to hear from Rochelle Maurice, the author of the recently published SRHM Commentary, We bawl so we are heard: the stories we must tell about obstetric racism⁠. This commentary is available online and is freely available to read. We hope you enjoy listening to this commentary, read by the author in the true spirit of story telling. If you are an author of a paper in the SRHM Journal and would be interested in recording your paper for the podcast, please contact us at info@srhm.org.

This episode is an AI recording of the paper 'Missed period? The significance of period-tracking applications in a post-Roe America' by Bridget Kelly, the Director of Research for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Population Institute, Washington, DC, USA, and Maniza Habib, a Research Associate, Population Institute, Washington, DC, USA. The paper sheds important light on the possibility of misusing personal health data collected by period tracking apps to implicate a person of an abortion in states where it is illegal, post-Roe v Wade. It explores how if users could be assured that their sensitive health data are protected, period-tracking apps could be a valuable instrument in helping to safeguard bodily autonomy. To ensure the safety of users and enable period-tracking apps to perform their originally intended function of empowering menstruators, a series of actions will need to take place, which are discussed in detail in this episode. Link to the paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26410397.2023.2238940#d1e245

This episode of the SRHM podcast is a recording of an important webinar hosted by SRHM on the (mis)use of evidence in contested rights on Wednesday 20 November 2024. In this online event, we heard from the authors of the commentary published in the SRHM Journal ‘The (mis)use of evidence in contested rights: the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls’ report on “prostitution and violence”' and the Global Co-ordinator of The Global Network of Sex Work Projects. The paper is available online and is open access. Thecommentary raises concerns about the basis on which a recent report on ‘prostitution and violence,’ by a UN human rights expert, rests its arguments. In this webinar, the authors will argue that criminal law which makes both the buying and selling of sex a crime hurts the very people who are most at risk, and that ‘trafficking’ is not the same as ‘sex work’. In a time where human rights as a space of dignity and freedom are under attack, it is critical to raise these concerns and build the case for good practices to support the future of human rights. Useful links: SRHM Commentary: ‘⁠The (mis)use of evidence in contested rights: the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls’ report on “prostitution and violence⁠”' by Susana T Fried, Alice M Miller, Rupsa Mallik, Ivana Radačić & Esteban Restrepo-Saldarriaga

This episode is an AI recording of a highly insightful paper by Catherine Rousseau, a PhD candidate at the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences at Ottawa University, titled Cimate change and sexual and reproductive health: what implications for future research? As the world grapples with the increasing challenges of climate change, researchers are observing an increase in mental health issues, anxiety, and environmental concerns that can influence people's sexual and reproductive health - an issue often overlooked in research. The paper discusses the need for a comprehensive approach to address climate-related concerns with respect to SRH to guide future research, and address how climate-change-related impacts manifest in the lives of individuals and communities. Link to the paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26410397.2023.2232196#d1e122

On this Friday 8 November 2024, Intersex Day of Solidarity, SRHM is pleased to release a new podcast episode with Morgan Carpenter and Mauro Cabral Grinspan as they discuss the evolution of the intersex rights movement, it's successes and it's current challenges. Morgan Carpenter is an Associate Professor and bioethicist at Sydney Health Ethics in the University of Sydney School of Public Health and Executive Director of Intersex Human Rights Australia. Mauro Cabral Grinspan is an Argentinian intersex and trans activist and Principal Consultant, and Project Coordinator for a new international project aimed at dismantling human rights violations in medical settings on people with innate variations of sex characteristics at Intersex Human Rights Australia. Useful links: SRHM Blog: ⁠⁠Intersex Awareness Day and list of intersex related papers from the SRHM Journal⁠⁠ Call for Papers: SRHM accepts papers on all topics related to sexual and reproductive health and rights in our annual Open Issue and welcomes more commentaries, research and perspectives on intersex human rights.

In a new and timely episode of the SRHM Podcast, Eszter Kismödi speaks to Dr. Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli, distinguished expert on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, about why a Harris-Walz win is crucial for the sexual and reproductive health of young Americans and young people around the world. This episode stems from a blog post published last week on the SRHM blog by Dr. Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli and Margaret Smith, a young American woman currently studying reproductive and sexual health research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In this important blog post, Maggie gives her personal insights as a young American who was born and raised in the USA, about the state of CSE growing up. She also gives her reflections as to why a Harris-Walz win is so desperately needed, both for the sexual and reproductive health of young people in the USA like herself and her peers, and in the wider world.  Useful links: Blog post: Why is a Harris-Walz win crucial for the sexual and reproductive health of young Americans and young people around the world? By Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli and Margaret Smith

This episode of the SRHM Podcast is an AI audio recording of the paper What do oral contraceptive pills have to do with human rights abuses in sport? by Katrina Karkazis and Michele Krech published ahead of Intersex Awareness Day on 26 October. We hope you enjoy listening to the reading of this paper and we'd love to hear your thoughts. You can contact us at info@srhm.org. Please note that references, citations and tables have been removed from this audio recording for ease of listening. The full paper can be found online at the link below. Useful links: What do oral contraceptive pills have to do with human rights abuses in sport? SRHM blog for Intersex Awareness Day 2024

On 16 October 2024, Eszter Kismödi, Chief Executive of SRHM, spoke to James Yap, Acting Director of the International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Anjli Parrin, Director of the Global Human Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School about a report which reviews Canada's complicity in violations of women’s rights to maternal healthcare in Gaza. Both of these institutions jointly prepared a submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) highlighting Canada’s consistent shortcomings in meeting its transnational human rights obligations and following extensive research conducted by the clinics on the grave impact of the conflict in Gaza on women and children since October 7, 2023. The SRHM Journal has been documenting human rights violations for more than 30 years, with a rich history showing how international human rights law impacts people's lives. As conflicts continue in different parts of the world, SRHM is calling for a wide range of forms of evidence, including perspectives from those involved, service delivery accounts, rapid qualitative and quantitative research, critical analyses and testimonies related to SRHR in conflict. Please read more about this call for papers at the link below. Useful links Read the full report to CEDAW: FEMINIST FOREIGN POLICY FAIL? ASSESSING CANADA’S HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS IN GAZA Submission to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women on the Occasion of the Committee's Review of Canada's 10th Report SRHM Editorial and Call for Papers: Sexual and reproductive health and rights in Palestine – securing spaces to speak out by Laura Ferguson & Sapna Desai

Eszter Kismodi, Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) speaks to Dr. Faysal El Kak to get some first hand information of the situation with sexual and reproductive health and the human rights situation in Beirut during the bombings of Beirut and other areas in Lebanon in September and October 2024. Dr. El Kak is the Director of Women Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Program, American University of Beirut, President of the Eastern Mediterrean Federation of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) and Editorial and Advisory Board Member for SRHM.

In this episode, our Associated Editor, Nina Sun talks to the authors of a recently published paper in the SRHM journal, 'Setting research priorities for prevention and response to child marriage in communities in the Arab region: findings from a multi-stage Delphi study involving practitioners across the region.' Progress on ending child marriage in the Arab region is slowing due to an increase in conflict-affected populations and widespread economic crisis. This paper explores the research priorities across the region to inform effective and accelerated child marriage prevention and response programming within the Arab region We hear from: Janna Metzler, Co-founder and Executive Director of a new non-profit dedicated to improving population health through community-driven solutions and Associate Director of Research at the Women's Refugee Commission in New York, Aisha Hutchinson, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences at the School of Education, Communication, and Society at King’s College London and Katrina Kiss, a postgraduate researcher at the School of Education, Communication, and Society at King’s College London. The authors talk about the rationale behind their study, the pros and cons of the unique research methodology presented in the paper, and specific findings that stood out to them. We hope you enjoy this episode.

In this one-of-a-kind episode, we bring to you a dynamic and engaging discussion that took place on the 5th of September 2024, titled 'Pleasure Matters', in collaboration with The Pleasure Project and Agents of Ishq. This discussion followed the launch of SRHM's first-ever Special Collection on Sexual Pleasure, and comes at a time when sex and pleasure continue to be associated with stigma and shame, and the need for pleasure for the sake of pleasure is often overlooked in discussions around sexual health and rights. Panellists, whose work also features in this Special Collection, provided unique perspectives on the integration of pleasure, politics, and SRHR, pleasure in the context of disability, rights, and gender, what pleasure could mean for different individuals and communities, and the need to engage with the lived experiences and politics of pleasure to achieve holistic SRHR. Moderators: Eszter Kismodi, Chief Executive, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Anne Philpott, Founder and Co-Director, The Pleasure Project Paromita Vohra, Creative Director, Agents of Ishq Panellists: Sherren El Faki, Director for Solidarity for Change and Voice at the International Planned Parenthood Federation Lawrence Shapiro, Deaf and Disability Artist with the Canada Council for the Arts and a leading disabled dancer in his native Canada Zahra Stardust, Sexual media scholar working at the intersections of sexuality, technology, and social justice.  Additional resources: Finding the cosmos of intimacies: where pleasurable safe sex dances with liberation - Editorial by Anne Philpott and Paromita Vohra

This podcast on rights- and evidence-based knowledge in legal action is part of a rights-based knowledge creation series by SRHM. The series includes articles, blogs, podcasts and webinars. There are links to these resources below. In this episode, SRHM Chief Executive Eszter Kismodi speaks to esteemed colleagues in the SRHR movement about the use of evidence for legal and human rights and SRHR action in their respective situations. Given the ever-changing global, regional and national contexts they discuss how the nature of evidence and knowledge is changing over time and lastly, what we need to effectively use evidence and knowledge for legal and human rights action. The discussion takes place between: Eszter Kidmodi, Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) Mindy Jane Roseman, Director of International Law Programs and Director of the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women’s Rights. Mindy is also an Associate Editor for SRHM. Allan Maleche, Executive Director of Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS. Allan is also an Editorial Advisory Board Member for SRHM Dipika Jain, Professor & Vice Dean and Director- Centre for Justice, Law and Society (CJLS), Jindal Global Law School. Dipika is also a Regional Editor for the SRHM South Asia Hub. Useful links SRHM rights- and evidence-based knowledge creation resources Introductory guide to rights-based knowledge creation in SRHR Podcast on key concepts of rights-based research Webinar on accountability in sexual and reproductive health and rights research Sign up to the SRHM newsletter to hear about more events in this series

As SRHM gets ready to launch its first Special Collection on Sexual Pleasure, let’s hear from the artist behind the cover of this collection—Samuel Bester. Hailing from Switzerland, Samuel Bester grew up fascinated by art, especially with the emotion, upheaval, and creativity that art evokes in people. While studying in Strasbourg in 1992, Samuel took a keen interest in video art, an art form that is linked to the Fluxus movement. The Fluxus movement strived to bind life and art together—a philosophy that Samuel abides to, till date. This cover image is a still from Samuel Bester’s video 'Hermaphrodite', based on the poem Hermaphrodite from Book IV of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Through this image, Samuel wanted to visualise the story in this poem, of the fusion of the male and female gender to form a new gender, and depict the sensuality and eroticism of this process. Listen to Samuel talk in depth about the inspiration behind his art, and what this cover image signifies to him!

In this episode, Nina Sun, the Associated Editor of the SRHM journal, speaks to Trudie Gerrits and Andrea Whittaker, the authors of a recently published paper: Assisted reproductive technologies in sub-Saharan Africa: fertility professionals' views. Andrea is a Professor of Anthropology at the School of Social Sciences at Monash University. Trudie is an Associate Professor at the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research at the University of Amsterdam. Trudie and Andrea talk about their study, which involved semi-structured interviews with fertility specialists and embryologists from six sub-Saharan countries, and was funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. Specifically, they speak to the rationale or gap in knowledge behind this study, the implications of the findings, and ways to increase access to low-cost yet effective assisted reproductive technologies to address infertility in sub-Saharan Africa.

In this episode, the Chief Executive of SRHM, Eszter Kismodi speaks to one of Norway’s most prominent trans people, Esther Esben Pirelli Benestad, a physician and sexologist, who has recently been appointed the President of the European Federation of Sexology. In this short but moving discussion, Esben Esther talks about their hopes of an inclusive world where people of all gender identities are respected, their new role and its significance for the transgender community, and the importance of sexual pleasure, health and rights in the current political climate. They end with a beautiful, self-composed poem, that provides insights into their journey.

In this episode we hear from the authors of a recent SRHM paper 'Obstetric violence in the United States and other high-income countries: an integrative review'. Dr. Lorraine Garcia is a Nurse-Scientist and practicing midwife and Dr. Brie Thumm is a certified nurse-midwife and Assistant Professor, both in association with the College of Nursing of the University of Colorado. We hear about the gap in knowledge that this paper addresses, findings that stood out to the authors personally and where to go from here in addressing obsetric violence in high-income countries. Useful links: Obstetric violence in the United States and other high-income countries: an integrative review SRHM Call for Papers 2024 Related SRHM papers: Invisible wounds: obstetric violence in the United States Farah Diaz-Tello , J.D. Moving beyond disrespect and abuse: addressing the structural dimensions of obstetric violence Sadler et al.

This episode takes us through an important discussion that took place on April 17, 2024, organised by the University of Southern California's Institute on Inequalities in Global Health in partnership with Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. Despite massive regressions in SRHR and anti-rights movements, 30 years later, the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda continues to set a standard for people-centred development, acting as a global touchstone for SRHR and rights-based policies and programs. How has the current political climate impacted the fulfilment of this agenda? Listen to an incredible group of panellists reflect on the history and future of health and development in the current political climate. Moderators: Sofia Gruskin: Director, USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health and Sapna Desai: SRHM Board of Trustees Co-Chair Panellists:       Bouchra Assarag: President of Together for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (Enssemble pour la Santé de la Reproduction et Droits (EDSSR) and Deputy Director of Studies in the National School of Public Health, Morocco. Gita Sen: Honorary Distinguished Professor of the Ramalingaswami Centre on Equity and Social Determinants of Health at the Public Health Foundation of India. Montasser Kamal: Former Deputy Director for Global Health Policy and Research at Global Affairs Canada, currently at International Development Research Centre. Uluk Batyrgaliev: Health Officer at Eurasian Coalition for Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity, Kyrgyztan.

In this important one-hour podcast episode, listen to moderator Professor Alice M. Miller, J.D. (co-director of the GHJP of Yale Law and Public Health Schools), and the authors of a recently published SRHM paper (What do oral contraceptives have to do with human rights abuses in sport?), Katrina Karkazis, PhD, MPH (Professor, Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies at Amherst College) and Michele Krech, J.S.D. (Bigelow Fellow and Lecturer in Law at University of Chicago Law School). They discuss in detail how the Court of Arbitration of Sport and World Athletics rely on mistaken assumptions about oral contraceptives, and misused scientific evidence to uphold a coercive and medically unnecessary use of oral contraceptive pills for testosterone suppression, in female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels, as an eligibility criterion to compete in certain track events. This discussion took place a few days before an important event - the hearing of Olympic runner Caster Semenya's appeal against these regulations, by the European Court of Human Rights on May 15, 2024, on the grounds that these are discriminatory to people with differences in sexual development. Semenya, who is legally female, was coerced to take oral contraceptives to reduce her natural testosterone levels, to be able to compete in track events 400m. and beyond, a medical intervention that negatively impacted her health and career. We also hear from Dr. Otmar Kloiber, Secretary General of the World Medical Association, who discusses his stance and concerns on these coercive regulations brought about by World Athletics. Moreover, we hear from Dr. Payoshini Mitra, an athlete rights defender who actively campaigns for the abolition of sex testing practices in female sports, talks to Ugandan former running champion Annet Negesa, who was coerced to undergo an invasive procedure mandated by the World Athletics to lower her testosterone levels. Useful links: What do oral contraceptives have to do with human rights abuses in sport?

In this episode, we hear from two authors of the paper 'Laws governing access to sexual health services and information: contents, protections, and restrictions', Laura Ferguson and Sarah Emoto. Laura Ferguson is the Director of Research at the University of Southern California Institute on Inequalities in Global Health and an Associate Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences. She is also an Associate Editor right here at SRHM. Sarah Emoto is a Research Program Specialist at the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health.  Their paper reviewed 40 laws in English, French, and Spanish from 18 countries to understand how many and which sexual health services and information countries ensure in their laws, which sexual health services are illegal, and which people are protected from discrimination in accessing these services. They found that countries use many different types of laws to ensure access to sexual health services or information, and most countries do not cover the same types or number of sexual health services. There are also differences in which people are specifically protected from discrimination in the laws we reviewed. These findings are important because they may help countries identify ways that access to sexual health services and information could be improved so as to improve people’s sexual health. They may also guide future research. Useful links: Laws governing access to sexual health services and information: contents, protections, and restrictions SRHM Open Issue 2024

In this episode, SRHM Associate Editor Nina Sun, talks to Executive Editor, Emma Pitchforth and Managing Editor, Pete Chapman, about an exciting new call for papers for the 2024 Open Issue. SRHM is calling for submissions on all SRHR topics, particularly those which bring a rights focus to neglected and marginalised issues, as well as those whose lead authors are from the Global South. We hope that this year’s Open Issue will bring documentation and analysis of progressive examples of upholding SRHR, as well as addressing critical gaps in the field Useful links: Call for Papers 2024 Open Issue Instructions for authors ⁠More about SRHM⁠ Read papers from the SRHM Journal

In our latest podcast episode, Associated Editor of SRHM, Nina Sun, speaks to two colleagues from the United Nations Population Fund - Petar Mladenov, a Programme Analyst for youth-led advocacy, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and Ilya Zhukov, a Technical Specialist and global CSE focal point.  Young people living with HIV, young people selling sex, and young people from marginalised backgrounds are often left behind from CSE interventions and there is a pressing need to tailor CSE programs in order to include them, and improve their sexual wellbeing. In this episode, listen to the panelists engage in an enlightening discussion on how to improve CSE program integrity, quality, and fidelity for left-behind populations and how their work with local partners and research institutions are helping to address research gaps for the success of these programs in different countries. They also discuss how they measure and evaluate facilitators that enhance inclusive CSE programs, and efforts to improve the facilitators' performance in different contexts. Useful links from the SRHM journal issue: SRHM issue - Beyond the classroon: Comprehensive sexuality education for outside of school settings Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programming adaptations in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic The International Technical and Programmatic Guidance on Out-of-School Comprehensive Sexuality Education – an evidence-informed approach for non-formal, out-of-school programmes reaching young people from left-behind populations

This episode was co-organised by SRHM and the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, and moderated by the Institute's director and SRHM Trustee, Sofia Gruskin. With an introduction by Nina Sun, Associated Editor of the SRHM Journal, we hear from key actors, including Anne Philpott - Founder of the Pleasure Project, Eszter Kismödi - Chief Executive of SRHM, Kat Lowe - Content Moderation Lead for Medan, a global not-for-profit organisation, and Leeza Mangaldas - India's foremost pleasure-positive content creator, on how information, misinformation, and disinformation in the current digital age impacts sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with a particular focus on sexuality education, contraception, and abortion. Listen to the panelists engage in a rich discussion on effective strategies to counter the challenges surrounding SRHR in the digital age, to ensure that the transformative potential of technology reaches those who need it most, and support agency, bodily autonomy, and decision making for all individuals. Useful links: SRHM journal issue 'Digital technology and sexual and reproductive health and rights' Watch the video recording of this webinar USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health

In this episode, Nina Sun, Associated Editor for the SRHM Journal speaks to Sundari Ravindran, Senior Editor of the SRHM Journal, about a recently published issue titled, 'Donor Funding for SRHR Advocacy'. Sundari speaks to the rationale and gap in knowledge that this issue addressess and why it was important for SRHM to publish on this topic. She also talks about specific findings that stood out to her personally. Lastly she discusses the next steps now that we have gathered this evidence in the SRHM Journal. Useful links: SRHM Issue: Donor funding for SRHR advocacy Perspective: Is there an alternative to grant-funding for sexual and reproductive health advocacy? A survey of the income base of AmplifyChange grantees Alex le May & Lucie Hazelgrove-Planel Commentary: “Effective social justice advocacy: a theory of change framework for assessing progress” – reflections on the terrain since its publication in 2011 Barbara Klugman Commentary: Forgotten by donors: a call to action by persons with disabilities to resource disability justice within sexual and reproductive health rights funding Lisa Adams Commentary: Advocacy for resourcing feminist and women’s rights movements: an interview with the association for women’s rights in development (AWID) Cindy Clark, Kasia Staszewska, Tenzin Dolker & T.K. Sundari Ravindran

In this 10 minute editor's summary episode we hear from Nina Sun, SRHM Associate Editor, and Emma Pitchforth, SRHM Editor-in-Chief. Emma gives an overview of the 2023 Open Issue, the range of topics and gives a summary of three papers that stood out to her personally. Nina and Emma also discuss what themes will be important for the SRHM journal to publish in 2024 and what makes the SRHM Open issue different to other journal publications. Useful links: 2023 Open Issue Research article: The difficult process of autonomous choice: using I-poems to understand experiences of abortion-seekers in The Netherlands Lianne Holten, Rosalie van der Wolf & Marit S. G. van der Pijl Commentary: Supreme Court of India judgement on abortion as a fundamental right: breaking new ground Dipika Jain Review: A reanalysis of the Institute for Research and Evaluation report that challenges non-US, school-based comprehensive sexuality education evidence base Kelly Van Treeck, Shatha Elnakib & Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli Submit a paper to the 2024 Open Issue Open Issue FAQ Sign up to the SRHM Newsletter

In anticipation of the International Conference on Family Planning, this episode focuses on reproductive power and aligning actions with values in global family planning. The conversation is moderated by Sara Gullo who works as an Independent Consultant. Sara is joined by Christine Galavotti a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Feven Mekuria a Senior Advisor in Community Health systems at CARE. This conversation is inspired by a recent article on reproductive power and family planning written by Christine and Sara which was published in the SRHM journal. The link to the article is available in the episode description or you can find it at SRHM.org. Useful links: Reproductive power matters: aligning actions with values in global family planning written by Christine Galavotti & Sara Gullo: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26410397.2022.2082353 Jade Sasser’s book titled On Infertile Ground: https://nyupress.org/9781479899357/on-infertile-ground/ Reproductive Autonomy Scale: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24615573/ Contraceptive Autonomy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24615573/ Op-Ed on contraception as ‘poverty cure’: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/opinion/iud-implants-contraception-poverty.html-- Summary of the project with married girls from Ethiopia: a4_tesfainvestigativeresearchbrief_print.pdf (care.org)

In this episode, four experts discuss the importance of pleasure for health and wellbeing and how it connects to family planning and contraception. They also discuss the pleasure deficit, why it exists and what we can do about it. This episode is moderated by Anne Philpott who is the Founder and Co-Director of The Pleasure Project - an international education and advocacy organization working to eroticize safer sex. Anne is speaking with Ana Santos, an award-winning journalist who reports on the intersections of sexuality, sexual health, and female migrant labour. She is also a Pleasure Fellow at The Pleasure Project. Anne is also speaking with Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist in Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning at the IPPF Africa Regional Office. He also leads their Treasure You Pleasure campaign across Sub-Saharan Africa. And lastly, Jessica Sanders is also joining the conversion. Jessica is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah in the Division of Family Planning and Director of research at the ASCENT Center for reproductive and sexual health. She received her PhD in Public Health from the University of Utah with an emphasis in Women’s Health. Useful links: The Pleasure Project The Pleasure Principles – guide to implementing pleasure based sexual health The Systematic Review on 'What is the added value of incorporating pleasure in sexual health interventions?' · Explanatory note · Journal article The World Association of Sexual Health Sexual Pleasure Declaration The World Association for Sexual Health’s Declaration on Sexual Pleasure: A technical guide World Sexual Health Day – Let’s talk Pleasure - 2022 Treasure your pleasure campaign The campaign, in English, French and Portuguese aims to create a safe space for youth in Africa to talk about sex freely, reducing shame through bold communication that resonates with them and grabs their attention while also advocating for safe sex and the importance of pleasure. Middle Me Podcast with Ana Santos By Jessica Sanders: Sex, poverty, and public health: Connections between sexual wellbeing and economic resources among US reproductive health clients Measuring the Sexual Acceptability of Contraception: Psychometric Examination and Development of a Valid and Reliable Prospective Instrument

On June 24, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade and thus removed constitutional protection for abortion rights in the country. This decision will hurt millions of people – especially those who already face discriminatory obstacles to health care. In response, we recorded this episode of the SRHM Podcast to better understand the situation in the U.S. right now and the implications of this milestone ruling. The conversation is moderated by Mindy Jane Roseman, Director of International Law Programs at Yale Law, the Director of the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women’s Rights, and SRHM Associate Editor. Mindy is speaking with Elizabeth Nash, Principal Policy Associate, State Issues with the Guttmacher Institute in Washington, DC, and Rachel Rebouché, Interim Dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law and James E. Beasley Professor of Law. Useful links: The new abortion battleground by David S. Cohen, Greer Donley and Rachel Rebouché https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4032931 Updated map of abortion laws per state: https://states.guttmacher.org/policies/ New numbers on abortion in the US for 2019 and 2020: https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2022/06/long-term-decline-us-abortions-reverses-showing-rising-need-abortion-supreme-court Take action: If you can, consider donating to the Center for Reproductive Rights (https://reproductiverights.org/), Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/), or other advocacy groups or abortion clinics in the U.S.

In this episode, SRHM Chief Executive Eszter Kismodi speaks with five experts on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in relation to the war against Ukraine. Together, they cover issues such as access to SRHR in Ukraine and in neighboring countries, the complexity of delivering humanitarian aid, the nuances of surrogacy during wars, as well as the importance of humanitarian law, human rights law and criminal law. Speakers: Galina Maistruk - Obstetrician-Gynecologist in Ukraine Wanda Nowicka - Member of Parliament in Poland Alison Motluk - Freelance Journalist specialized in assisted reproduction Dr. Henia Dakkak - Head of Policy and Liaison Unit, Humanitarian Office, UNFPA in Moldova  Christina Zampas - Associate Director of Global Advocacy at the Center for Reproductive Rights Resources: SRHM editorial on SRHR in Ukraine Ukraine’s Surrogacy Industry Has Put Women in Impossible Positions by Alison Motluk published in The Atlantic HeyReprotech newsletter by Alison Motluk Ukraine Surrogacy Dispatch newsletter by Alison Motluk

Following a call for poetry in September 2021, SRHM published its first poetry anthology on sexual and reproductive justice. To celebrate the release of the collection, we invited five poets and a member of the Selection Committee to read their poems and share what inspired them to write. This episode of the SRHM Podcast is the recording from the launch event. SRHM's poetry collection is available online at http://www.srhm.org/poetry-for-sexual-and-reproductive-justice/ Poets: Megan Spencer (poem: on mother’s day, our first together.) Carmen Barosso (poem: Forgive me, Father) Haiber Andres Logos Lemus (poem: Libertad + Amor / Freedom + Love) Elizabeth Wright Veintimilla (poem: For the women who came before us) Mahamuda Rahman (poem: My body is my soul) Jane Cottingham (poem: This is where)

This episode features Avery Everhart, Blas Radi and A.J. Lowik. Together, they discuss the importance of inclusive language and best practices, how social movements for trans rights and reproductive justice are influenced by geographic contexts, and how the criteria for political participation are too often based on cisnormative logic. The episode concludes with several recommendations on how to be more inclusive. Read Blas Radi’s article published by SRHM: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26410397.2020.1824318 The transcript for this episode is available here: http://www.srhm.org/news/trans-reproductive-justice-podcast-transcript/ Other resources: Florence Ashley: https://www.florenceashley.com/ Pregnancy: Reproductive Futures in Trans of Color Feminism by micha cárdenas: https://read.dukeupress.edu/tsq/article-abstract/3/1-2/48/91814/PregnancyReproductive-Futures-in-Trans-of-Color Dr. A.J. Lowik’s manual on trans inclusive abortion services: https://www.ajlowik.com/transinclusive-abortion

In this episode, Emily Maistrellis, Senior Program Officer at the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health is hosting a conversation with three colleagues on the impact of US foreign policy on abortion worldwide. More specifically, they discuss the Global Gag Rule, or the GGR, and how even though the policy was rescinded in January 2021, the effects continue to be seen globally. Speakers: Patty Skuster, Beck Chair in Law at Temple Law School and fellow with the Center for Public Health Law Research Anand Tamang, Founding Director of CREHPA, a research organization based in Kathmandu, Nepal Evelyne Opondo, Senior Regional Director for Africa at the Center for Reproductive Rights This episode builds on a special journal issue published by SRHM and Columbia University titled Exporting harm: impact of the expanded Global Gag Rule on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

In today’s episode, Mindy Jane Roseman, SRHM Associate Editor, Director of International Law Programs at Yale Law and Director of the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women’s Rights is speaking with Dr. Marcin Smietana, Research Associate in the Reproductive Sociology Research Group at Cambridge University and Sarojini Nadimpally, Founder of Sama Resource Group for Women and Health and the former Co-chair of People's Health Movement Global. Together, they discuss the evolution and complexities of surrogacy worldwide. They explore how surrogacy is viewed in different areas of the world, how laws vary, and how to frame the issue from a reproductive justice perspective. This episode builds on an article co-authored by Marcin titled, “Moral frameworks of commercial surrogacy within the US, India and Russia”, which was published in the SRHM Journal last spring.

In September 2021, the state of Texas implemented Senate Bill 8 (SB8) banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, including in cases of rape and incest. This is one of the most restrictive state laws on abortion in the country. To better understand what this means, SRHM gathered expert speakers to discuss how SB8 was implemented, the strategies being pursued to stop its enforcement and the ban’s implications for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the US and beyond. Speakers: Dr. Kari White - Associate Professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and Faculty Research Associate at the Population Research Center at The University of Texas Melanie Fontes - Fellow at the Center for Reproductive Rights Dr. Samuel Dickman - Medical Director for Primary Care at Planned Parenthood South Texas More resources: What if Roe fell? by the Center for Reproductive Rights They Say They Are Attacking Abortion. They Are Really Hurting the Poor, Op-ed by Dr. Dickman in The New York Times I’m an abortion doctor in Texas. My patients are desperate, Op-ed by Dr. Dickman in The Guardian Texas Policy Evaluation Project How Texas Banned Almost All Abortion, The Daily Podcast 

in this episode, Rupsa Mallik, Director of Programs and Innovation at CREA, a feminist international human rights organization based in the Global South and led by women from the Global South, is in conversation with Na Young who is the co-founder and representative of the Centre for Sexual Rights and Reproductive Justice or SHARE, in South Korea. Together, they discuss abortion legal reforms by comparing India and South Korea’s journeys to advance safe and legal abortion. This episode builds on a commentary published by SRHM titled “The MTP 2020 Amendment Bill: anti-rights subjectivity” which focuses on the Indian context.

In this episode, Dr. Ruvani Jayaweera is in conversation with her colleagues Dr. Heidi Moseson, Ijeoma Egwuatu, and Ika Ayu Kristiangrum about recent research from the SAFE study on the effectiveness of self-managed abortion using misoprostol alone. Together, they discuss how these findings can be contextualized within the clinical literature and the implications of these findings for those who need access to abortion and those who support them. This episode builds on a commentary published in the SRHM journal entitled, “A love letter to misoprostol, the original abortion medication,” by Dr. Ruvani Jayaweera, Dr. Heidi Moseson, and Dr. Caitlin Gerdts. SAFE pilot paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33444174/ SAFE protocol paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7588945/ To learn more about GIWYN: https://giwynn.org/ To learn more about Samsara: https://samsara.or.id/ Watch the 'Misoprostol' song video: http://giwyn.simplesite.com/442733386 

In this first episode of a series on rights-based research and knowledge creation, SRHM Chief Executive, Eszter Kismodi, speaks with three leading experts in the field and together they discuss the important concept of rights-based research and explore why it matters for sexual and reproductive health and rights.  The speakers in this episode are Sundari Ravindran, Laura Ferguson and Sabina Faiz Rashid.

In this episode, Dr. Ankitha Manohar, a practicing OBGYN from India, interviews her friend and colleague, Dr. Nuzrath Jahan, a Master of Public Health Research Scholar from India. In their conversation, Drs Ankitha and Nuzrath discuss the ongoing effects of the pandemic on menstrual health as well as the link between access to safe water and menstrual hygiene. Read Dr Nuzrath Jahan's commentary here: Bleeding during a pandemic, the politics of menstruation

In this short episode, Nina Sun, SRHM Associate Editor, and Julia Hussein, SRHM Editor-in-Chief, look back at the research published in the SRHM Journal in 2020 and share their thoughts on emerging trends in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights.