Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 25
Litigation can prove to be a powerful tool to ensure health rights, asserts the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) Nagaland. With this objective in mind, the HRLN, supported by CAN Youth conducted a daylong consultative session in Dimapur on June 25 to formulate strategy and advance the rights of women and adolescents, in particular - reproductive and sexual health rights.
Held at the DBIDL, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, HRLN member, Advocate ID Gil, in his introductory remarks and objective of the consultation maintained that building strong partnership between lawyers, activists, health workers, NGOs and government officials will go a long way in addressing the core issues surrounding Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
The consultation further sought to identify incidences of violation of sexual reproductive rights, discussing and understanding SRHR law(s) and the latest amendments; and working out action plan for legal intervention.
According to Gil, HRLN has scaled up its work on an array of issues across the country. Of the activities in Nagaland, it challenged and petitioned in Court the widespread failure to implement Public Health Standard. In 2015, it found that health establishments across the state lacked adequate medical personnel, including specialists, while Anganwadi centres were not providing the basic essential services to pregnant women.
Terming the Integrated Child Development Scheme as a failure in Nagaland, the Network also highlighted the failure in guaranteeing to beneficiaries the various health schemes such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health, National Maternity Benefits Scheme and the National Family Benefits Scheme.
Citing RTI replies, Gil stated that despite “underreporting” cases of preventable maternity and infant death were obvious. “This goes on to show that the negligence and apathy of the government towards reproductive health rights have severe and direct implications…” on lives.
While the court has directed the state government to respond to the petitions, “The cases are still ongoing,” Gil stated.
Various speakers, including legal professionals, activists and also government officials were part of the discussion.
