GDC Launches White Paper on Conscientious Objection in New York City

On Tuesday, February 18, Global Doctors for Choice (GDC) gathered several dozen of our closest colleagues and supporters together in New York City to celebrate the launch of our first White Paper, Conscientious objection and refusal to provide reproductive healthcare: A White Paper examining prevalence, health consequences, and policy responses.

The event, “In Search of Balance: Respecting Conscience, Protecting Care”, held at the beautiful Scandinavia House in mid-town, featured a panel of respected experts on the issue of reproductive healthcare and providers’ conscience.  Dr. Wendy Chavkin of GDC and lead author of the paper discussed the findings and ways to try to ensure care for women. Luisa Cabal of the Center for Reproductive Rights presented the legal and policy perspective, outlining legal cases, international treaties, and strategic approaches moving forward. Via video from Ghana, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams described real world implications of refusal of care for women there. Jodi Magee, of GDC, moderated the panel.

A lively Q&A followed the presentations with many like-minded colleagues bringing new thoughts, energy and support to the next phase of GDCs exploration of this topic.

View the White Paper here in English and in Spanish.

Advocating for access to safe reproductive health care for all.