The National Assembly of Pakistan unanimously passed the
Reproductive Healthcare and Rights Act 2013
on March 12, 2013. The Private Member Bill was introduced by Hon. Dr.
Attiya Inayatullah, MP. The bill seeks to promote reproductive
healthcare and rights in accordance with the Constitution and to fulfill
International commitments made by the Government of Pakistan under the
Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
This Act will provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare services
particularly to women in remote areas and marginalized groups. It aims
to curb maternal mortality and morbidity by providing services to
pregnant women such as quality antenatal and postnatal care and
professionalized obstetric care. It will provide reproductive healthcare
information and raise awareness on the mental and physical health and
well-being of individuals and families. It also encourages parental
responsibility recognizing parents as educators while taking into
consideration the religious norms and cultural environment. It will also
protect individuals from discrimination against their reproductive
lives particularly women who are being discriminated in social, domestic
or employment spheres by reasons of pregnancies and motherhood.
The AFPPD commends our National Committee the Pakistan Parliamentary
Group on Population, Reproductive Health and Development (PPGPRD) for
this remarkable milestone of improving the quality of life of all
Pakistanis particularly women and mothers. We recognize the invaluable
efforts of Hon. Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, MP and Convenor of PPGPRD for
ensuring that the bill overcomes the political hurdles in the last three
and a half years. The support of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in
the two Standing Committees of Health and Human Rights in the passage of
the Bill is duly recognized.
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