Archives: Speakers
Accessibility of medicines is a sensitive issue, and one that cannot be examined in isolation. Access to medicines is intrinsically linked with principles of equality, non-discrimination, and transparency. By using a rights-based model, MSF has worked towards achieving more equitable access to medicines for a variety of diseases, including viral hepatitis, diabetes, and drug-resistant tuberculosis.
A key part of the rights-based humanitarian response has been to address the need for affordable treatment, which requires funders and governments to scale up public health programmes. Through prioritizing improved funding, treatments, and diagnostics for diseases, civil society can effectively contribute towards lowering exorbitant drug prices, so that everyone is able to access humanitarian medical treatments, regardless of their background. In this context, it is imperative to recognize the importance of civil society collaborations and movements. Let’s join hands and work towards establishing a more equitable system of humanitarian healthcare.
South Asia is grappling with a wide range of humanitarian issues, from natural disasters to socio-political discord. Recent events in the region illustrate the varied responses and challenges to fostering solidarity in the regional landscape. During the Nepal earthquake in 2015, an outpour of regional response from the neighboring countries was witnessed; in contrast, the limited cooperation to the increasing displacement of Rohingya populations in Bangladesh showcased the tepid and selective nature of regional solidarity.
Despite sharing borders and historical ties, the response to humanitarian catastrophes has been largely fragmented in South Asia, reflecting complex geopolitical dynamics. These events underscore the need for a paradigm shift towards genuine regional solidarity and collective action.
Conventional humanitarian aid structures, often spearheaded by the Global North, usually fail to address the diverse populace of South Asia. Nevertheless, gradual shifts have seen regional players taking a more proactive role, signaling a potential reconfiguration of the humanitarian ecosystem in South Asia. In this context, it is imperative to reemphasize the need for greater cooperation in regional policies, so that tangible actions can swiftly be taken in times of crisis.
Women and girls on the move face critical health challenges. Their access to life-saving medical care is often limited due to violence, financial constraints, or insecurity. Lacking access to family planning services, they are at an increased risk of sexual violence, STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions.
Whether they are refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, internally displaced, or fleeing conflict or persecution, they are often exposed to various forms of trauma. These traumatic experiences can have profound and lasting effects on their mental health. The stigma surrounding mental health issues can prevent women on the move from accessing the support they need.
Whether it is the Rohingya women in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, the millions of internally displaced women and girls struggling in Afghanistan, or the women on their migration route through Latin America, they all require gender-sensitive strategies to ensure an effective response to their specific health needs.
Civil society, human rights activists, and humanitarian organizations across South Asia are facing an increasing variety of challenges. In regions including Bangladesh, India, and Afghanistan, there have been notable restrictions on freedoms. Human rights groups from the region note over 600 instances of enforced disappearances since 2009. In Bangladesh, during election periods, there have been reported instances of severe restrictions being placed on dissenting voices. In India, numerous NGOs face operational challenges due to perceived national security threats, leading to a withdrawal of licenses. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, women advocating for human rights consistently encounter various threats and obstacles.
The Asia-Pacific region has seen a restrictive trend in civic freedoms, with numerous governments limiting public space and rights, according to the Civicus Monitor. In light of this, there is an urgent need for collaborative international efforts to address these restrictions on civic freedoms. It is vital for governments and global leaders to engage actively in expanding and protecting civic spaces.
