It is critical for the world to respond to those affected by Zika with solidarity, not cruelty. Yet so far, the world has turned away from, rather than toward, those who are most at risk. In response to the virus, which is thought to cause defects in the newborn babies of some mothers who have been infected, the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has declared a crisis and government officials in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and El Salvador are now advising women to avoid getting pregnant for up to two years.
This advice puts the responsibility for prevention solely on women and misses four important realities: First, most women in these countries do not have access to the full range of family planning and reproductive health services. Second, they live with the horrific reality of sexual violence that results in unintended pregnancies. Third, women and girls are not the only people responsible for avoiding pregnancy; men, too should be implicated in the recommendations. And finally, too few governments and local communities support women's health as a shared responsibility.
The right to access medical treatment in the wake of a public health crisis.
Let us turn toward the women and girls of Latin America and stand in solidarity with them. Please sign this petition that urges W.H.O. to fight Zika, not women and girls, and read Rabbi Jaffe's inspiring piece below.