By Mohamad Hesham
What is Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights? Why do we advocate for it? Why should I even care to read this? Apparently, in our society, it’s a bit hard to talk freely about “SRHR” Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. This may be because of religious beliefs, our traditions, etc. As a matter of fact, it is pretty important that we, as medical students, and future health care professionals, tackle this topic very extensively! We have to know that "SRHR" is a prominent constituent of human rights, according to Human Rights Declaration.
So, what are our Sexual and Reproductive health and Rights "SRHR"? We need to know what sex is first!
So, Sex refers to the biological characteristics that define humans as female or male. While these sets of biological characteristics are not mutually exclusive, as there are individuals who possess both, they tend to differentiate humans as males and females. In general use in many languages, the term sex is often used to mean “sexual activity”. Sexual Health: A state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled Sexual Rights: - The rights to equality and non-discrimination. - The right to be free from torture or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. - The right to privacy. - The rights to the highest attainable standard of health (including sexual health) and social security. - The right to marry and to found a family and enter into marriage with the free and full consent of the intending spouses, and to equality in and at the dissolution of marriage. - The right to decide the number and spacing of one's children. - The rights to information, as well as education. - The rights to freedom of opinion and expression. - The right to an effective remedy for violations of fundamental rights. - The responsible exercise of human rights requires all persons respect the rights of others. Reproductive Health: Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing – and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity – in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capacity to reproduce and the freedom to decide if and when and how often to do.
Reproductive Rights: -Reproductive health as a component of overall health, throughout the life cycle, for both men and women. -Reproductive decision-making, including voluntary choice in marriage, family formation and determination of the number, timing and spacing of one's children and the right to have access to the information and means needed to exercise voluntary choice. -Equality and equity for men and women, to enable individuals to make free and informed choices in all spheres of life, free from discrimination based on gender. -Sexual and reproductive security, including freedom from sexual violence and coercion, and the right to privacy.
Adding to our knowledge as medical students, and advocators, History always comes to mind when talking about controversial topics. In fact, there have been efforts to bring SRHR to life, to shed light on the importance of advocating and educating community members about it. Universal access to SRHR was first in 1994 at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, Egypt, when Egypt joined more than 170 countries in support of an agenda to advance SRHR globally. Since ICPD, organizations Like IFMSA have advocated for government strategies, policies, and stances at the United Nations (UN). In 2015 the U.S. government officially recognized sexual rights and adopted the full term “sexual and reproductive health and rights” for use in official documents, international statements, and UN negotiations. It was until 2018-2019, when SRHR was defined “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to all aspects of sexuality and reproduction, not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity." That was in the Guttmacher-Lancet Commission, based on the ICPD and other global agreements and human rights treaties and principles.
What exactly matters to us? Which fields do we actually work on? These are some of the topics we encounter locally, and Nationally in Egypt: - Comprehensive sexuality education - Criminalization and other restrictions on safe abortion - Gender based discrimination - Early and forced marriage - Female genital mutilation - Gender-based violence - Gender equality - Gender identities and expressions - HIV / AIDS - Maternal morbidity & mortality - Reproductive rights - Sexual orientation
Why should we advocate for SRHR? We are exerting our efforts to ensure that our community members are aware of SRHR, because we are living in a world where there is so much discrimination and violated rights, not just regarding Sexuality and Women, it’s actually against all sorts of people. Also, when we bring up human beings having adequate comprehensive Sexuality knowledge, for example, that can help reducing all harassment.
Getting Rid of Sexual Harassment! Comprehensive Sexuality education plays an amazing role! People with enough knowledge not only about their sex, but also about other sexes, will not have that hazy problematic perception of others, and their rights, and will be able to know the difference between all of us. Therefore, we can have a community with less honor crimes, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, etc. So, when we advocate for promoting and implementing SRHR, It is: "Because we know that this is both moral and smart public policy." Legal Action Center.
By Ali Elsayed
February is considered Pet Owners Month, now is a great time to take stock of ourselves as pet parents. Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. Lifelong care of the pet means committing to the relationship for your pet's entire life. The major step in the process of owing a pet is selecting a pet that's suited to your home and lifestyle and Keeping only the type and number of pets for which, you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter and health.
The most important things to do for your pet: • •
Annual Check-Ups: keeps them in good health. It’s essential to get regular vaccines and various medications Socialization: is critical for a happy and healthy furry friend.
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Keep Them Safe: outside of your home, implement safeguards. Inside your house, keep any personal medications out of reach Dental Health: Have your furry friend’s teeth cleaned regularly to maintain their good health by animal-friendly toothpaste.
Finally, you must Give Them Love and always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Now, let's have a piece of cake about the medical health of your pets: Pet vaccines provide immunity from a range of infectious diseases that affect both humans and animals There are two groups of vaccines: Core vaccines are recommended for all pets with an unknown vaccination history, as they protect against diseases that infect dogs or cats of all life stages and lifestyles. Non-core vaccinations are for individual pets with unique needs For Cats: Vaccines for panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis) and rabies & vaccines for feline leukemia virus, Bordetella, Chlamydophila felis and feline immunodeficiency virus. For Dogs: Vaccines for canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies &vaccines against Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira bacteria
The WSAVA identifies a third classification of non-recommended vaccines which are not effective. The first round of vaccinations is given at around six to eight weeks old. The final vaccine should not be given before your pet turns sixteen weeks. Here are some tips for Handling a Pet Emergency 1. Don't Panic. The first important tip for handling a pet emergency. 2. Have an Emergency Plan in Place? 3. Be Cautious. 4. Understand How to Handle Your Pet. 5. Know Basic Pet First Aid. 6. Comfort your pet. 7. Contact your vet
Spread infections to human: Pets carry certain bacteria as Rickettsia, viruses as LCMV, parasites, and fungi as Cryptococcus. These can cause illness if transmitted to humans. Humans get these animal-borne diseases when they're bitten or scratched or have contact with an animal's waste and saliva. As soon as you choose a family pet, take it to a local veterinarian for vaccinations and a physical exam this will reduce the risk that infections will spread to your kids. do not allow your pet to drink toilet water. Control flea and tick problems in your pet. Limit young kids' contact with outdoor pets. Always wash your hands and wear gloves. Avoid kissing your pet. Avoid using flea collars.
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