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Law Symposium - Spring 2009

Reproductive and Sexual Health and the African Women's Protocol

sponsored by the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice and the Frances Lewis Law Center

Friday, April 3, 2009
Millhiser Moot Court Room

The African Women's Protocol, adopted by the African Union in 2003 and in effect in 2005, is the first regional human rights instrument to focus comprehensively on women's rights. Our symposium will serve as a discussion of the Protocol's utility at the intersection of reproductive/sexual health and women's rights, both quintessentially unmet needs of the African continent.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic, lack of access to contraception, harmful cultural practices, sexual violence and exploitation, deteriorating access to health services, and abortion will be among the topics of Symposium papers.

Washington and Lee's 2008-09 Scholar-in-Residence, Charles Ngwena, Professor of Health and Human Rights at the University of the Free State, South Africa, will chair the symposium, bringing together prominent scholars from Africa, Asia, Canada and the United States.

Schedule At a Glance

9:00 a.m.  - Opening Remarks
9:15 a.m.  - Session 1: Introduction
10:45 a.m. - Break
11:00 a.m. - Session 2: Women's Protocol and Reproductive Health
1:15 p.m. - Session 3: Women's Protocol and Sexual Health and Rights
3:00 p.m. - Session 4: Closure

Schedule In Detail

9:00 a.m. - Opening Remarks
Dean Smolla and Prof. Charles Ngwena, Presentation of Louise Halper Award

9:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m.,  Session 1: Introduction
Session Chair: Johanna Bond, Washington and Lee School of Law

  • The African Charter on Human and People's Rights and the Protocol to the African Charter Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Frans Viljoen, University of Pretoria)

  • Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: Lessons from CEDAW (Rebecca Cook, University of Toronto)

  • Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: Lessons from Asia (Melissa Upreti, Center for Reproductive Rights, NY)

10:45 a.m. - Break

11:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Session 2: The Women's Protocol and Reproductive Health
Session Chair: Ann Massie, Washington and Lee School of Law

  • Linking Development & Poverty with Reproductive Health (Ms. Edith Miguda, St. Mary's College, Indiana)

  • HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health (Cynthia Eyakuze, Open Society Institute, New York)

  • Compromises Made with Regard to Reproductive Health in Drafting the Protocol (Rachel Rebouche, National Partnership for Women & Families, Washington, D.C.)

     Lunch Pick-up: 12:00-12:15

  • Abortion (Charles Ngwena, Washington and Lee University School of Law)


1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Session 3: Women's Protocol and Sexual Health and Rights
Session Chair: Mark Drumbl,  Washington andLee School of Law

  • Adolescent Sexual Health and Rights (Ebenezer Durojaye, University of Free State, South Africa)

  • Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Marriage (Johanna Bond, Washington and Lee University School of Law

  • Sexual Violence in Conflict (Susana SaCouto, American University, Washington D.C.)

  • A Commentary on Addressing Health Professional Challenges in Intimate Partner Violence in Domestic Settings (Bernard Dickens, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto)

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Session 4: Closure

  • Summary and Way forward – Remarks by Prof Ngwena

  • Thank you Remarks – Erica Knott, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice

Participants

Our guest speakers will include:

  • Professor Frans Viljoen, Director Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa;

  • Mr. Ebenezer Durojaye, Department of Constitutional Law, University of the Free State South Africa;

  • Ms. Susanna Sa'Couto, War Crimes Research Office, American University Washington College of Law, Washington, DC;

  • Ms. Cynthia Eyakuze, Open Society Institute Project Director, Public Health Watch, New York;

  • Dr. Edith Miguda, Saint Mary's College, Center for Women's Inter-Cultural Leadership, Notre Dame,
    Indiana;

  • Ms. Melissa Upreti, The Center for Reproductive Rights, Senior Manager and Legal Advisor for Asia, New York;

  • Ms. Rachel Rebouché, Associate Director, Adolescent Health Programs, National Partnership for Women and Families, Washington, DC;

  • Ms. Rebecca J. Cook, Professor of Law and Faculty Chair in International Human Rights, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada