DOCSLIB.ORG

The Achievements of 50 Years

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

MEASURE EVALUATION TR-15-101 Family Planning in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Achievements of 50 Years April 2015 Jane T. Bertrand, PhD, MBA Victoria M. Ward, PhD Roberto Santiso-Gálvez, MD TR-15-101 Family Planning in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Achievements of 50 Years April 2015 Jane T. Bertrand, PhD, MBA Victoria M. Ward, PhD Roberto Santiso-Galvez, MD TR-15-101 ISBN 978-1-943364-00-8 MEASURE Evaluation is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under cooperative agreement AID-OAA-L-14-00004. MEASURE Evaluation, whose staff provided editorial, formatting, and distribution assistance, is implemented by the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in association with Futures Group; ICF International; John Snow, Inc.; Management Sciences for Health; and Tulane University. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States government. Suggested citation: Bertrand JT, Ward VM, Santiso-Gálvez R. Family Planning in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Achievements of 50 Years. Chapel Hill, NC: MEASURE Evaluation; 2015. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The co-authors owe a debt of gratitude to three individuals who devoted vast amounts of their time and energy to this report: Kime McClintock and Jerry Parks (lead research assistants at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine) and Maria Cristina Rosales (editorial assistant in Guatemala). Their dedication in conducting background research, fact checking, verifying references, and editing text greatly enhanced the quality of the final product. In addition, we thank Nicole Carter, Alejandra Leyton, and Maayan Jaffe for their contributions as research assistants to specific sections of the report. Mirella Augusto and Maria Carolina Herdoiza provided valuable administrative and logistics support to this effort. Dr. Tania DesGrottes served as a consultant to the team in preparing the associated case study on Haiti. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, we thank Bates Buckner, Erin Luben, Elizabeth T. Robinson, and Nash Herndon for their editorial assistance; as well as Denise Todloski, who designed the cover. The U.S. Agency for International Development Latin America and the Caribbean Bureau (USAID/LAC) commissioned this report and provided constructive technical guidance in its development. We wish to thank Kimberly Cole for her skillful management of the process and detailed synthesis of reviewer comments. Other core reviewers from USAID/LAC included Susan Thollaug, Lindsay Stewart, Mary Vandenbroucke, Maggie Farrell, Veronica Valdivieso, and Richael O’Hagan. A number of Latin American/Caribbean specialists from within and outside of USAID also reviewed part or all of this report and/or the associated country case studies: Yma Alfaro Nancy Alvey Graciela Avila Jerry Bowers Marianela Corriols Jo Jean Elenes Maricarmen Estrada Maria Rosa Garate Dale Gibb Kovia Gratzon Erskine Amber Hill Beverly Johnston Sandra Jordan Rocio Lara Natalia Machuca Réginalde Gerlus Massé Richael O’Hagan Maria Isabel Plata iii Nora Quesada Isabel Stout Veronica Valdivieso In addition to the main report, eight case studies were prepared to provide more in-depth analysis of the evolution of family planning programs in specific countries in the LAC region. The following persons reviewed these case studies or provided logistical assistance in each country: Colombia Maria Isabel Plata Gabriel Ojeda Marlene Vera Dominican Republic Sonia Brito-Anderson El Salvador José Mario Cáceres Henríquez Guatemala Marisela de la Cruz Haiti Gadner Michaud Mexico Ricardo Vernon Nicaragua Freddy Cárdenas Ortega Paraguay Cynthia Prieto iv CONTENTS Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................................ iii List of Figures and Tables ............................................................................................................................ vii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... ix Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ ix Evolution of Methods, Programs, and Attitudes ..................................................................................... x Factors Contributing to Widespread Use of Family Planning ................................................................. xi Remaining Challenges ............................................................................................................................. xi Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................. xii I. Rationale for this Report ............................................................................................................................ 1 II. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................. 3 III. Demographic Change in the Context of Steadily Improving Standards of Living .................................... 5 Demographic Change ............................................................................................................................... 5 Evolution of Contraceptive Use ............................................................................................................... 7 Unmet Need for Contraception and Continuing Disparities ................................................................. 11 Infant Mortality and Maternal Mortality Trends ................................................................................... 16 Educational Achievement ...................................................................................................................... 19 Economic Trends and Income Disparity ................................................................................................ 21 IV. Adolescent Fertility, Contraceptive Use, and Unmet Need ................................................................... 25 Adolescent Birth Rates........................................................................................................................... 27 Proportion of Adolescents in Union Who Are Pregnant or Have Had a Child at the Time of the Survey ................................................................................................................. 28 Contraceptive Prevalence Rates among Adolescents ........................................................................... 31 Early Sexual Debut and Very Young Pregnancy ..................................................................................... 33 Unmet Need for Contraception among Adolescents ............................................................................ 35 Educational Attainment and ABR .......................................................................................................... 36 V. Historical Overview: Early Years in the Family Planning Movement ...................................................... 37 Catalytic Role of the International Planned Parenthood Federation in Latin America ......................... 37 Evolution in the Models of Service Delivery .......................................................................................... 40 The Political Climate for Family Planning .............................................................................................. 43 Financial and Technical Support for Family Planning in Latin America ................................................. 46 VI. Ten Key Factors that Influenced FP Achievements in the LAC Region .................................................. 51 1. The Development of Strong NGOs that Pioneered the Family Planning Movement and Continue to Tackle Politically Sensitive Issues .......................................................................... 51 v 2. The Macro Socio-Political Environment that Gradually Supported Family Planning and Increasingly Progressive Policy Frameworks ............................................................................. 54 3. Sustained Financial and Technical Assistance from USAID and Other Donors ................................ 57 4. Synergistic Coordination among Governments, External Agencies, NGOs, and Civil Society .......... 63 5. The Development of Local Expertise in Key Programmatic and Management Areas ...................... 65 6. Improvement in the Availability of Information as a Tool to Drive Decision Making and Open Doors .................................................................................................... 68 7. Strategically Designed, Wide-Reaching Communication Activities to Support Change in Individual Behavior and Social Norms ............................................................................. 70 8. Mechanisms to Ensure Program Financing that Evolved to Fit the Times ....................................... 73 9. Effective Advocacy to Achieve Major Political Gains ....................................................................... 76 10. Significant Investments in Contraceptive Security .......................................................................... 79 VII. Remaining Challenges and Future Directions ......................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • 2.Health Systems Strengthening and Contraceptive Security.Pdf

    2.Health Systems Strengthening and Contraceptive Security.Pdf

    CONTRACEPTIVE SECURITY FACTCARD 2 Securing contraceptives for economic development “The power of existing interventions is not matched by the power of health systems to deliver them to those in greatest need, in a comprehensive way, and on an adequate scale.”1 Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organization Key action points Governments should partner with non-governmental organizations to help meet the special needs of different populations, particularly vulnerable groups, bring family planning services to new audiences, and mobilize community health workers to provide family planning services. Contraceptives should be used as a tracer to measure effective service delivery and to ensure that they are reaching those that need them via the health service. Invest in research about unmet need for contraception and disaggregate data (for example by income, urban/rural residence, age, marital status, HIV status), Health systems to ensure policy and practice reflect the needs of the community. Build the density and capacity of health workers, by providing incentives to join the profession, and ensure strengthening that all training curricula include family planning and how to provide contraceptive services. Ensure that the family planning programme is and contraceptive adequately funded, that it has a separate budget line in the national and (if applicable) district budget, that there are adequate resources, and that they are released on time and in the full amount. security Health systems strengthening and contraceptive security Figure 1: Building blocks Service of a health system (World delivery Health Organization*) Community networks Human Leadership resources • Community-based approaches among the least empowered and and the most vulnerable women should be built into the Information governance service design.
  • Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 4 May 2012

    Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 4 May 2012

    United Nations E/CN.9/2012/INF/1 Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 4 May 2012 Original: English/French/Spanish Commission on Population and Development Forty-fifth session 23-27 April 2012 List of delegations Liste des délégations Lista de las delegaciones Note: Delegations are requested to send their corrections to the following list in writing to the Secretary of the Commission, Room IN-613C, 200 East 42nd Street (fax: (212) 963-5305). Note: Les délégations sont priées d’envoyer leurs corrections à la présente liste, par écrit, à la Secrétaire de la Commission, bureau IN-613C, 200 East 42nd Street (fax: (212) 963-5305). Nota: Se ruega a las delegaciones se sirvan enviar sus correcciones a la siguiente lista, por escrito, a la Secretaría de la Comisión, oficina IN-613C, 200 East 42nd Street (fax: (212) 963-5305). Chair: H.E. Mr. Hasan Kleib (Indonesia) Vice-Chairs: Ms. Martina Težak Budišić (Croatia) Mr. William Awinador-Kanyirige (Ghana) Mr. Pius Wennubst (Switzerland) Mr. Sérgio Rodrigues dos Santos (Brazil) 12-33123 (E) 100512 *1233123* E/CN.9/2012/INF/1 MEMBERS MEMBRES MIEMBROS COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE ALTERNATES ADVISERS PAYS REPRESENTANT SUPPLEANTS CONSEILLERS PAIS REPRESENTANTE SUPLENTES CONSEJEROS Algeria Mr. Mohamed Salah Mr. Mourad Benmehidi Mr. Larbi Djacta Eddine Belaid Angola Mr. Mario Rogerio Baptista Mr. Ismael Abraão Mr. António Coelho von Haff Gaspar Martins Ramos da Cruz Mr. Mabel Alipui Mr. Braulio Constantino Bangladesh Ms. Samia Anjum Mr. Abulkalam Abdul Mr. Md. Mustafizur Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Momen Rahman Mr. Shelley Salehin Belarus Mr. Andrei Dapkiunas Ms. Irina Velichko Ms. Larisa Belskaya Mr.
  • Multidimensional Socioeconomic Inequalities in Women's Current Non

    Multidimensional Socioeconomic Inequalities in Women's Current Non

    Socioeconomic inequalities in use of contraception in Colombia: DHS 1986-2010 Catalina Gonzalez Uribe Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University College London 2012 2 I, Catalina Gonzalez Uribe confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. Catalina Gonzalez Uribe 3 Abstract Background: In 2005 Colombia adopted the national Millennium Development Goal (MDG5) target of 75% modern contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) by 2015. Important gains have been achieved with respect to living conditions, education and health indicators in recent decades but inequalities within the country remain to be addressed. Methods: The aim was to analyse socioeconomic inequalities in women’s ‘current non- use of contraception’ using the six Colombian Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). A multidimensional approach to socioeconomic position was implemented. Absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities were analysed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII). The interplay between level of education and Public capital with respect to contraceptive non-use was examined. Individual and contextual effects were investigated using a multilevel approach. Results: National prevalence in current non-use of contraception between 1986 and 2010 decreased from32.6% to 22.9%. Nationally, absolute inequalities narrowed but relative inequalities did not decline. Women with less than primary education had not met the CPR target in 2010 in urban (30.9%) and rural (41.4%) areas respectively. Absolute inequalities narrowed in urban areas but relative inequalities persisted in urban and rural areas.
  • David Daleiden & Cmp Are the Latest Examples in a Long

    David Daleiden & Cmp Are the Latest Examples in a Long

    DAVID DALEIDEN & CMP ARE THE LATEST EXAMPLES IN A LONG HISTORY OF BOGUS ATTACKS AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMENS’ HEALTH PROVIDERS Contents David Daleiden & CMP Are The Latest Examples In A Long History Of Bogus Attacks And Violence Against Womens’ Health Providers................................................................... 1 Planned Parenthood And Womens’ Health Providers Have A Long History Of Political Attacks & Violence Against Them ................................................................................................................................ 1 Radical Anti-Choice Groups Have A History Of Using Misleading Videos To Attack Planned Parenthood ......................... 1 Radical Organizations Have Also Accused Planned Parenthood Of Everything From “Genocide” To “Deviancy” ........... 4 Right-Wing Groups Used False Attacks On Planned Parenthood To Advance Their Anti-Choice Agenda .......................... 6 Extremists’ History Of Violent Attacks On Planned Parenthood And Abortion Providers ........................ 9 Violence Against Planned Parenthood ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Violence Against Other Clinics ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Violence Against Abortion Providers ................................................................................................................................................
  • Crisis in the Triangle: Addressing Adolescent Reproductive Health And

    Crisis in the Triangle: Addressing Adolescent Reproductive Health And

    Crisis in the Triangle: Addressing Adolescent Reproductive Health & Violence Prevention in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras psi.org Acknowledgements This publication was made possible through support provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of Cooperative Agreement No. AIDOAAA-10-00030, Support for International Family Planning Organizations (SIFPO) project. The contents of this guide are the sole responsibility of Population Services International and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. This publication was written by Susan Ruether, Katie Anfinson, Rena Greifinger, Julia Roberts and Judith Heichelheim from PSI. Special thanks to Jennifer Pope for her leadership of the SIFPO project, the entire SIFPO team, USAID Mission offices in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, and the USAID Latin America and Caribbean Regional Bureau for their ongoing support and reviews. Special thanks is also extended to PASMO Honduras for their invaluable support and input that made this publication possible. © 2016 Population Services International (PSI). Any part of this document may be reproduced or adapted to meet local needs without prior permission from PSI provided PSI is acknowledged, and the material is made available free of charge or at cost. 2 Table of Contents ACRONYM LIST ..................................................................................................................................................................................................
  • The Case for Investing in Research to Increase Access to and Use of Contraception Among Adolescents

    The Case for Investing in Research to Increase Access to and Use of Contraception Among Adolescents

    1 About the Alliance for Reproductive, Maternal, and Newborn Health The Alliance for Reproductive, Maternal, and Newborn Health is a strategic partnership among four core international development organizations: the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Together, these partners are working collectively at both the global and country levels to ensure the most effective and efficient use of existing resources to accelerate progress in averting unintended pregnancies and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. About this document In December 2012, the Alliance co-hosted a donor meeting on research gaps in family planning, and a subgroup formed at the meeting identified the need for this business case analysis. The Alliance commissioned Drs. Margaret E. Greene and Thomas Merrick to author this report, which is available online at www.path.org/publications/detail.php?i=2538. The executive summary exists as a separate policy brief that was reviewed and edited under the direction of Judith Frye Helzner and Linda Sussman and that is available online at www.path.org/publications/detail.php?i=2518. Both the full report and the policy brief were produced with editorial and graphic design support from the Creative Partners for Programs team at PATH. The authors gratefully acknowledge helpful comments on earlier versions from Sue Kinn, DFID; Andrea Dee Harris, Joan Kraft and Cate Lane, USAID; Clarissa Lord Brundage, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Margot Fahnestock, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; V. Chandra-Mouli, World Health Organization; Sylvia Wong, United Nation’s Population Fund; and Jari Kempers, Qualys Health Economics.
  • Achieving Contraceptive Security and Meeting Reproductive Health Needs in Southeast Asia

    Achieving Contraceptive Security and Meeting Reproductive Health Needs in Southeast Asia

    Achieving Contraceptive Security and Meeting Reproductive Health Needs in Southeast Asia Rosalia Sciortino In partnership with the Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR) of Mahidol University, Thailand Achieving Contraceptive Security and Meeting Reproductive Health Needs in Southeast Asia Written by Rosalia Sciortino Published by Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 18th Floor, Sathorn Thani II 92 North Sathorn Road Bangkok 10500 Thailand www.asiapacificalliance.org Design and photography by Joseph Thiéry. Except page 32 © 2005 Henrica A.F.M. Jansen, Courtesy of Photoshare. ISBN 978-974-401-220-3 Copyright © 2010 Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights All rights reserved Printed in Thailand March 2010 Achieving Contraceptive Security and Meeting Reproductive Health Needs in Southeast Asia Rosalia Sciortino In partnership with the Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR) of Mahidol University, Thailand iv Acknowledgments + This synthesis paper was prepared for the Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (APA) to provide evidence and sustain advocacy efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health responses in Southeast Asia. The Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights brings together NGOs from countries in Asia and the Pacific to mobilise resources for sexual and reproductive health and rights in developing countries. APA works to ensure everyone’s right to health is fully achieved through the promotion and inclusion of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The literature review was made possible through a grant from Population Action International (PAI). The grant to APA is part of a larger initiative “Project Resource Mobilisation and Awareness” that seeks to increase political and financial support for reproductive health.
  • Studies in Family Planning, Index to Volumes 22–42, 1991–2011

    Studies in Family Planning, Index to Volumes 22–42, 1991–2011

    STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING Index to Volumes 22–42 (1991–2011) A Aassve, Arnstein, Gereltuya Altankhuyag. 2002. ‚Changing patterns of Mongolian fertility at a time of social and economic transition.‛ 33(2): 165–172. Abass, Tajudeen. See: Okonofua, Friday E., 2011. Abderrahim, Noureddine. See: Stanton, Cynthia, 2000. Abejide, A. See: Okonofua, Friday E., 1992. Abou-ouakil, Mohamed. See: Brown, Lisanne, 1995. Abraham, Bisrat K. See: Yount, Kathryn M., 2007. Abu Al Ata, Abdullah. See: Clark, Cari Jo, 2008. Abu Al Sha'ar, Zeinab. See: Clark, Cari Jo, 2008. Abu Ra'ad, Basem. See: Clark, Cari Jo, 2008. Abulaban, Ayman. See: McDivitt, Judith A., 1993. Acevedo-García, Dolores. See: García, Sandra G., 2008. Achadi, Endang. See: Ronsmans, Carine, 1997. Acharya, Rajib. See: Creanga, Andreea A., 2007; Stephenson, Rob, 2008. Adamchak, Donald J., Michael Mbizvo. 1991. ‚Family planning information sources and media exposure among Zimbabwean men.‛ 22(5): 326–331. Adamchak, Donald J. See: Mbizvo, Michael T., 1991; Piotrow, Phyllis T., 1992. Adanu, Richard M. See: Oliveras, Elizabeth, 2008. Adewale, Adeniyi. See: Okonofua, Friday E., 2011. Adewuyi, Alfred. See: Askew, Ian, 1994; Messersmith, Lisa J., 2000. Adongo, Philip. See: Nazzar, Alex, 1995; Ngom, Pierre, 1999. Adongo, Phillip B., James F. Phillips, Fred N. Binka. 1998. ‚The influence of traditional religion on fertility regulation among the Kassena-Nankana of northern Ghana.” 29(1): 23–40. Agadjanian, Victor. 2002. ‚Is ‘abortion culture’ fading in the former Soviet Union? Views about abortion and contraception in Kazakhstan.‛ 33(3): 237–248. Agadjanian, Victor. See: Hayford, Sarah R., 2010. Agadjanian, Victor, Zhenchao Qian. 1997. ‚Ethnocultural identity and induced abortion in Kazakstan.‛ 28(4): 317–329 Agha, Sohail.
  • Evidence for the Implementation of Contraceptive Services in Humanitarian Settings

    Evidence for the Implementation of Contraceptive Services in Humanitarian Settings

    Evidence for the implementation of contraceptive services in humanitarian settings Sara E. Casey Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Public Health Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health Mailman School of Public Health COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2016 © 2016 Sara E. Casey All rights reserved ABSTRACT Evidence for the implementation of contraceptive services in humanitarian settings Sara E. Casey More than 50 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes at the end of 2014, the highest number since World War II; 38 million of these were displaced within their own country rather than crossing an international border. Many have been displaced multiple times by chronic and recurring conflict. Complex humanitarian emergencies caused by armed conflict are characterized by social disruption, population displacement and the breakdown of national health systems. The negative impact of war and displacement on women has long been recognized, including by compromising their right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The ten countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world are affected by, or emerging from, war; these countries are also characterized by low contraceptive prevalence. The provision of SRH services is a minimum standard of health care in humanitarian settings; however access to these services is still often compromised in war. A 2012-2014 global evaluation on the status of SRH in humanitarian settings showed that although access to SRH services has improved in humanitarian settings, gaps persist and the availability of contraceptive services and information is still weak relative to other SRH components. This dissertation addresses this gap by providing evidence that good quality contraceptive services can be implemented in humanitarian settings and that women and couples will choose to start and continue contraceptive use.
  • Download (2983Kb)

    Download (2983Kb)

    University of Warwick institutional repository: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of Warwick http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap/63815 This thesis is made available online and is protected by original copyright. Please scroll down to view the document itself. Please refer to the repository record for this item for information to help you to cite it. Our policy information is available from the repository home page. Women's Health as State Strategy: Sri Lanka's Twentieth Century By Darshi Nayanathara Thoradeniya A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History Centre for the History of Medicine University of Warwick January 2014 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ….. 06 Abstract ….. 08 Abbreviations ….. 09 Chronology of Events ….. 10 Introduction ….. 11 Research Problem ….. 14 Objectives of the Research ….. 17 Historiography of Development, Modernization and Women’s Health ….. 18 Development, Modernisation & Women’s Health ….. 19 Literature on the Woman’s Body ….. 26 Scholarship on the Woman’s Body in Sri Lanka up until Now ….. 32 Methodology ….. 40 Archival Research ….. 42 Field Research ….. 44 Positioning Myself and Ethics ….. 47 Interviewing Women’s Health Policy Makers ….. 48 Interviewing Women’s Health Policy Recipients ….. 51 i) Interviewing FTZ Workers ….. 52 ii) Interviewing Migrant Workers in the Gulf ….. 53 iii) Interviewing WWC Attendees ….. 54 Challenges in the Research ….. 57 Structure of the Thesis ….. 58 Chapter One Population, Development and Women’s Health in Post Independence Sri Lanka (1950-1990) Abstract ….. 63 Introduction ….. 64 Sri Lanka Becoming a ‘Case Study’ within Population Research ….
  • Media Guide to Covering Reproductive Issues

    Media Guide to Covering Reproductive Issues

    MEDIA WOMEN’S MEDIA CENTER GUIDE womens media center .com to Covering Reproductive Issues Media Guide to Covering Reproductive Issues By Sarah Erdreich Edited by Rachel Larris The Women’s Media Center would like to thank the organizations that contributed substantially to the information within this guide: the Guttmacher Institute, the National Abortion Federation, the National Women’s Law Center, and Health Care for America Now. We would also like to thank the many individuals who personally contributed. They include Anna Benyo, Gretchen Borchelt, Melissa Fowler, Mara Gandal-Powers, Kim Haddow, Sharon Levin, Elizabeth Nash, Vicki Saporta, and Judy Waxman. Staff and board members of the Women’s Media Center have informed, reviewed and edited the content. They include: Michelle Kinsey Bruns, Julie Burton, Cristal Williams Chancellor, Gloria Feldt, Kate McCarthy, Gloria Steinem, and Jamia Wilson. WOMEN’S MEDIA CENTER ABOUT THE WOMEN’S MEDIA CENTER The Women’s Media Center has the goal of making women visible and powerful in media. Media are the most powerful economic and cultural force in shaping attitudes and knowledge of facts and events. By deciding who gets to talk, what issues are reported, who writes, what is important and how it is framed, the media shapes our understanding of who we are and what we can be. The Women’s Media Center works to level the playing field for women and girls through our media monitoring, training, original content and activism. Currently, we are rarely using half of our talent in this country, and only hearing half the story. We live in a racially and ethnically diverse nation that is 51 percent female, but the news media remain limited.
  • The Effect of Womenos Rights on Womenos Welfare: Evidence from A

    The Effect of Womenos Rights on Womenos Welfare: Evidence from A

    The e¤ect of women’srights on women’swelfare: evidence from a natural experiment Silvia Pezzini London School of Economics 11 December 2003 JOB MARKET PAPER Abstract Between the late 1960s and the 1990s vast changes in social norms and insti- tutions took place in relation to women’s rights. This paper explores the issue of whether women’srights have brought women higher welfare. Using individual level data on life satisfaction and focusing on the staggered timing of law changes on abor- tion rights in twelve European countries, I obtain an average treatment e¤ect on the treated from di¤erences-in-di¤erences. The identi…cation strategy uses the fact that exposure to women’srights varied by gender, country of residence and date of birth. I show that the extension of abortion rights is strongly linked to an increase in life satisfaction of women of childbearing age. The introduction of the pill in national public policies had an analogous e¤ect, while mutual consent divorce laws decreased women’swelfare. These …ndings are true after controlling for age e¤ects, unobserved heterogeneity across countries and time, and country-speci…c trends. It is robust to various econometric concerns. Keywords: Natural experiment, Di¤erences in di¤erences, Women’srights, Wel- fare, Life satisfaction. JEL: I38; J16 I wish to thank my supervisor Tim Besley for very helpful and attentive supervision, Barbara Petrongolo, Robert MacCulloch, Guillermo Cruces, Michela Cella, Lupin Rahman, Oriana Bandiera, Markus Goldstein, Pedro Martins, Je¤rey Wooldridge, Luca Onorante, Alan Manning, Erica Field, Robin Burgess, Klaus Abbink, for very useful comments or conversations.