by The 2020 reform of the law on gender-based violence in Catalonia included a new area of violence: the institutional. His recognition that the State, administrations and public authorities they can also harm the woman. The Association for Sexual and Reproductive Rights denounced this Friday that the institutional violence is at the origin of the lack of recognition and guarantee of women’s sexual and reproductive rights. These are encompassed in human rights.
The entity, which submitted its Annual Report (focused this year on institutional violence), denounced specific cases. As for example, that of a student without health card who was asked for a deposit to access the post-exposure prophylaxis (Pep, the anti-HIV drug that is taken within 72 hours of risky practice and is part of the Health Services portfolio). During the presentation of this year’s report, different entities of women, LGTBI or mental health were present.
The association also cited as an example the case of women who had an appointment, in a month, to have an abortion (“when it is a process that requires speed”, underlined Elena Longares, member of the association). Another example: “To access the vaccine for the monkey pox there was only one point, in Barcelona, something that did not guarantee territorial equity”. In addition, clinics that perform abortions continue to be harassed by the anti-abortion movements.
Main shortcomings
These are just a few of the cases of institutional violence. “The main violation that comes to us is in the termination of pregnancy. There is difficulties of access due to the absence of a health card, because of age, difficulties when choosing the method or accessing information,” Longares said.
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Second, the “most common” violation is the access to emergency contraception in public health, followed by its access to pharmacies. “Often users encounter obstacles in the pharmacy. And even this year we received a case of misinformation via 061. The information that is given is often wrong,” he added.
And thirdly, everything about the sexually transmitted infections (ITS). “There is a lack of approach because they are not considered emergencies or because care is thought to be unnecessary.” According to the Sexual and Reproductive Rights Association, the violation of rights by public institutions is the “first hurdle” in the guarantee of sexual and reproductive rights.
