Sunday Lecture – Sexual and reproductive healthcare: the role of religious organisations

Marge Berer talks about sexual and reproductive healthcare and their role in religious organisations; Religious institutions contribute massively to the provision of health care in many countries Religious organisations and leaders are in a powerful position – able to influence the public and public policy including law and policy on many aspects of health care. Religious leaders position themselves as a positive force for good as the voice of ethics and morality as a voice for the poor and the world’s victims whether of violence and conflict or natural disasters. Many faith-based organisations provide excellent health care. However there are important areas where values and ethical positions are contested by within and between different faith groups. Contested issues include: contraception; gay rights; abortion; capital punishment; gender equality; freedom of religion; blasphemy; HIV/AIDS; and other cultural and religious practices and in some cases all aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights. I will discuss this with particular reference to Roman Catholic health policy on emergency obstetric care that involves termination of pregnancy.; Marge Berer is the founding editor of Reproductive Health Matters now in its 21th year. She has been involved in the International Consortium for Medical Abortion since 2002 and also in Voice for Choice a coalition of pro-choice organisations in the UK since 2007. She was the first chairwoman of the Gender Advisory Panel WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research from 1996 to 2001 and a member of the International Women’s Advisory Panel of the International Planned Parenthood Federation from 1993-98. She has been working in the UK and internationally since 1976 as an advocate for abortion rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights has published many articles on these issues and gives talks regularly on them to conferences and post-graduate courses.; 11.00 £3 on the door/free to members Free Tea & Coffee will be available.