The right to health extends further. It includes a wide range of factors that can help us lead a healthy life. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the body responsible for monitoring the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, calls these the “underlying determinants of health”
Harmful Practices Harmful practices are traditions or social norms that negatively affect the health, dignity, and well-being of individuals, particularly women and girls. Practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of gender-based violence violate the right to health and other fundamental human rights. They often result in
Over the past 25 years, AIDS has claimed more than 25 million lives, making it one of the most devastating recent pandemics. HIV/AIDS is deeply linked to human rights: protecting rights is crucial for preventing transmission and mitigating the pandemic’s impact. Key rights include freedom from discrimination, equality
More than 650 million people worldwide live with disabilities, primarily in developing countries, and have long been marginalized and treated as less than rights-holders. It is essential to recognize their right to health, which is closely linked to principles of non-discrimination, autonomy, and social inclusion. More recent estimates indicate that
Migration is a major global phenomenon, with nearly 200 million international migrants facing significant challenges in accessing their right to health, especially in host countries. Migrants, particularly undocumented or irregular migrants and those in detention, often encounter discrimination, language and cultural barriers, and legal status issues that limit their access
The right to health is a fundamental human right recognized under international law. It guarantees everyone the opportunity to attain the highest possible standard of physical and mental health, without discrimination. It is affirmed in Article 25(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, most comprehensively, Article 12
Women and girls have the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, free from discrimination. This includes equal access to quality healthcare services, accurate health information, and respectful, gender-sensitive treatment. Their health rights encompass sexual and reproductive health, maternal care, access to contraception, confidential counselling, and