Copy and paste the below in to your preferred writing/email software:
[SUBJECT LINE] Recognising women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights
[type representative’s name and title here]
[type department here]
[type address here]
[type date here]
I am writing to request our government to take immediate steps towards addressing gender inequality and challenges to women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights in [country]. This issue impacts not only women, but their families, communities and our country.
From stigmas around menstruation, to the risk of unintended pregnancy, criminalisation of abortions, lack of maternal healthcare, misinformation and denial of reproductive autonomy, women and girls face a stark reality when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health rights. These inequalities are even greater for women who experience multiple layers of discrimination.
In times of crisis, like what we are currently facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these issues are often magnified. As a result of COVID-19, progress towards ending gender-based violence by 2030 (as part of the Sustainable Development Goals) has been set back.
However, gender inequality is a crisis in and of itself.
Here in [country], women face [insert local challenge]. I am particularly concerned about [insert personal priority].
Efforts to improve women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive healthcare have measurable effects beyond them as individuals. When women and girls are able to fully enjoy their sexual and reproductive health rights, they will make progress in other fields and societies will benefit from their strength and contributions.
To create equality for women in the world of work, we need to:
Prioritise sexual and reproductive health rights;
Eliminate discriminatory laws and practices;
Institutionalise and strengthen monitoring and accountability;
Ensure women’s and girls’ participation and promote male accountability; and
Push back against conservative and anti-human rights ideologies.
I ask that you adopt and implement the recommendations of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls thematic report on Women’s and Girls Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Crisis. The report can be found at https://unworkinggroupwomenandgirls.org.
I believe that you as my government representative have an important role to play in enabling these promising practices in [country] and ask that you consider how we can make them happen. Thank you for considering this request and I’d appreciate a response that outlines what action you’re taking to address these issues.
Sincerely,
[Type your name]