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INTEGRATING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INTO THE WORK OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION
Work to protect and promote reproductive rights reported by Member NHRIs
Figure 4
2.3.3 Complaints about violations of reproductive rights are rare
Most NHRIs report that they have never received a complaint about violations of reproductive
rights. Some NHRIs did report receiving such complaints but further inquiry revealed that the
matter was not specifically related to reproductive rights but rather situated within a broader
context of rights denial (e.g. trafficking, discrimination in general relating to sexual orientation/
HIV status). Of those NHRIs reporting complaints related specifically to reproductive rights, the
number of such complaints was generally very low. Only two NHRIs reported a high number of
complaints. In one case, the complaints related exclusively to pregnancy-based discrimination.
In the other case, the extremely high number of complaints related principally to harmful
practices and gender-based violence.
The reasons for low levels of complaints are explored further in Part 4. Briefly, it appears that
lack of knowledge about reproductive rights within the institution itself is an important factor.
Institutional confusion and uncertainty about reproductive rights often means that the NHRI
itself does not contribute to raising awareness amongst rights-holders and duty-bearers. As a
result, those who may have suffered a violation of their reproductive rights are not sufficiently
informed to bring that violation to the attention of the NHRI.