Here's some history for you: The United Nation's General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on this day in 1948 which was drafted by a committee chaired by the lovely Eleanor Roosevelt, widow of American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Happy Human Rights Day! *insert eyeroll* I have seen countless images on Facebook today with the words "Happy Human Rights Day!" Okay, sure we've come a LONG, long way in the realm of human rights. But we have so much more work to complete before it can remotely be called a happy day. For example, did you know the sex trafficking trade is alive, well and vibrant? It is. Did you know some couples still cannot marry simply because of who they love? At least they can profess their love in a civil union, right? (I'm glaring at you if you agree with that statement) Did you know some women are not legally allowed to abort a child while others are forced to do so? Did you know women's rights are violated during childbirth across the globe every day? It's true! Okay, I'm probably preaching to the choir on that one if you're reading this blog. Article 5 states: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” (View the full text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights here.) Why then is it okay for a medical professional to hold a birthing mother down to ensure she complies with their demands? Is that not cruel, inhuman or degrading? I think Mrs. Roosevelt would look down on acts of perinatal violence with shame and great dissatisfaction. I would hope that she would help us raise a fuss. Violence against women goes directly against the human rights laws we should all be able to hold as standard according to the United Nation. Why then is it okay for one sector of people to get away with "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment?"
Happy Human Rights Day indeed! Mrs. Roosevelt, I imagine, would not be happy at all with how the world has progressed in terms of human rights. In many ways, it seems as if we have gone backwards instead.
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AuthorWelcome to Momma Trauma's Blog! Thoughts, empowering posts and stories straight from Momma Trauma herself, Birth Trauma families & birth professionals. Archives
July 2015
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