In a coordinated regional effort, Optio and 17 civil society organizations submitted a formal request for a thematic hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to address the critical state of sexual and reproductive rights for women and girls in Central America and the Dominican Republic.
This joint initiative, backed by the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Panama, reflects months of collaborative work in documenting and analyzing ongoing violations of human rights across the region. Optio led an inclusive information-gathering process, uniting organizations from across borders to present a comprehensive account of the realities faced by women and girls.
The request underscores the deeply restrictive context that continues to define sexual and reproductive health in the region—one marked by systemic barriers, harmful legislation, and persistent stigma. Among the key issues highlighted are:
Widespread sexual violence and high rates of adolescent pregnancy
The criminalization of abortion, disproportionately affecting poor and rural women
Lack of access to comprehensive sexuality education and accurate health information
Limited availability of reproductive health services, technologies, and digital tools
Escalating online violence and threats targeting women human rights defenders
This hearing request aims to bring international attention to these intersecting crises and push for concrete accountability and policy change in a region where the rights of women and girls are far too often denied or ignored.
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