Archive for contraception

and it only gets worse & worse & …

Posted in Books, Kids, pictures, Travel with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 13, 2025 by xi'an

“

“We’re going to get some back. We’re going to get some switched. There will be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both [Ukraine and Russia]. You’re looking at territory that’s been fought over for three and a half years, a lot of Russians have died. A lot of Ukrainians have died” – DT, 08 Aug

“I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements [by Dmitry Medvedev] are more than just that.  Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.” – DT, 01 Aug

“[The 23 July Energy Department report] critically assesses many areas of ongoing scientific inquiry that are frequently assigned high levels of confidence — not by the scientists themselves but by the political bodies involved, such as the United Nations or previous presidential administrations. Unlike previous administrations, the Trump administration is committed to engaging in a more thoughtful and science-based conversation about climate change and energy.” – Ben Dietderich, DoE, 31 July

“Climate change is real, and it deserves attention. But it is not the greatest threat facing humanity. As someone who values data, I know that improving the human condition depends on expanding access to reliable, affordable energy. If we empower innovation rather than restrain it, America can lead the world in providing more abundant energy” Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy, 29 July

“Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them.” – DT, 31 July

“The Trump Administration dismantled American aid organisations in a politically-driven witch hunt for ‘waste, fraud, and abuse.’ Now, they are letting millions of dollars of lifesaving humanitarian aid go to waste. President Trump is preparing to let over $12 million worth of HIV-prevention supplies and contraceptives, which have already been purchased for use in developing countries, be destroyed, rather than let other countries or groups take control of and distribute the products. HIV is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. People will die because of this decision. Their lives are at risk because of President Trump.” – Senator Rosa DeLauro, 18 July

1975 ]two French films[

Posted in Books, Kids, pictures with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 24, 2022 by xi'an


Two French films that came out within a few weeks of one another on the legalisation of abortion in 1975, following the MLAC activism in the previous years, the lawyer Gisèle Halimi‘s court pleadings, and Giscard’s underlying (and relatively) progressive presidency, which left Simone Veil endure the nasty flak of an exclusively male French Assembly. (Note: I have not watched either of the movies!)

America after Roe

Posted in Statistics with tags , , , , , , , on May 5, 2022 by xi'an

my body is my own [UNFPA report]

Posted in Books, Kids, Statistics with tags , , , , , , , on April 20, 2021 by xi'an

Today, the United Nation Population Fund published its 2021 State of World Population report, entitled My Body is My Own.

“The report examines data on women’s decision-making power and on laws supportive of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Tragically, only 55 per cent of women have bodily autonomy, according to measurements of their ability to make their own decisions on issues relating to health care, contraception and whether to have sex.”

Countradicting seven myths about bodily autonomy:

  1. it is a Western concept
  2. there is no universal right to bodily autonomy
  3. it represents radical individualism; it undermines group decision-making
  4. one person’s bodily autonomy could end up undermining the autonomy of others
  5. some groups of people are not entitled to bodily autonomy
  6. it undermines traditions and religions
  7. it is “just another” women’s issue

and presenting (incomplete) data on the overwhelming proportion of countries with bodily lack of autonomy.

“These data are only available in about one in four countries, but they paint an alarming picture: only 55 per cent of girls and women are able to make their own decisions in all three dimensions of bodily autonomy.”

World Contraception Day [donations]

Posted in Kids, pictures, Travel with tags , , , , on September 27, 2017 by xi'an

As today, September 26, is World Contraception Day, as contraception is under threat, even in some supposedly developed countries, and as my daughter, back from a medical internship this summer at a dispensary at Maventibao in rural northern Madagascar, reported treating a high number of sexually transmitted diseases, here is a call for donations to MadaClinics, the NGO supporting such medical rural centres.