GDC Publishes White Paper On Conscientious Objection To Reproductive Healthcare
GDC has authored Conscientious objection and refusal to provide reproductive healthcare: A white paper examining prevalence, health consequences, and policy responses and has published it in a special supplement to the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
GDC began exploring the phenomenon of conscience-based refusal of reproductive health services as a result of increasing reports of harms worldwide. This report draws upon medical, public health, legal, ethical and social science literature published from 1998 – 2013 in multiple languages, and examines the prevalence, character, and impact of conscientious objection. It also reviews policy efforts to balance individual conscience, autonomy in reproductive decision making, and safeguards for health and professional medical integrity.
