Joint Statement to Commission on the Status of Women, 54th Session re: Criminal Legislation that Contravenes the Beijing Platform for Action

“We are deeply concerned at an alarming global trend of laws that explicitly target and/or directly or indirectly impact women’s right to control their sexuality and reproduction. Through such legislation, women’s rights are being violated and traditional gender norms are being reinforced, with governments strictly policing women’s bodies and choices…. This submission briefly addresses the … Read more

Under the Skin: A People’s Case for Prison Needle and Syringe Programs

What do people in prison have to say about the Canadian government’s unwillingness to permit the distribution of clean needles in prison? Between 2008 and 2009, interviews were conducted in person and over the phone in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, resulting in sworn affidavits or testimonials from 50 … Read more

Open letter to the Government of Malawi: Civil society organizations call for the repeal of discriminatory laws and the dismissal of charges in Malawi same-sex case

“We, the undersigned organizations, write to express our deep concern at the imprisonment and prosecution of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga under provisions of Malawi’s penal code criminalizing private sexual behaviour. We further call on Malawian authorities to drop all charges against both men and repeal sections 153 and 156 of the penal law.”

Clean switch: the case for prison needle and syringe programs – HIV/AIDS Policy & Law Review 14(2)

Harm reduction measures aimed at preventing HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in prisons are neither new nor groundbreaking in Canada. Prison systems have implemented, to varying degrees, forms of harm reduction such as condoms, bleach and methadone maintenance treatment. However, as of September 2008, no Canadian jurisdiction had established a prison-based needle and … Read more