By Allyn Gaestel. Originally published on April 22, 2010 at Media Global.

As the United Nations calls for a greater focus on reproductive health this week, sex workers in India are independently advocating for their often overlooked needs and rights.

Sampada Grameen Mahila Sanstha (SANGRAM) is an HIV/AIDS organization that works primarily with sex workers. SANGRAM is based in the Sangli district in Maharashtra state. Maharashtra has HIV rates four to five times the Indian national average, and Sangli has the highest infection rate in the state. The HIV rate among sex workers in Maharashtra was 17.91 percent in 2007, compared to the 0.34 percent overall prevalence among adults in India.

The International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), an international advocacy organization for women’s health and rights, has partnered with SANGRAM since 2006 and produced a documentary about their work called “SANGRAM: Sex Workers Organizing in India .” Paradigm Shift, a feminist organization in New York, screened the documentary during an event on sex work and human rights in March.

by Beth Fredrick, Executive Vice President

Originally published by the Global Health Magazine.

All eyes will be on Barack Obama as he makes his inaugural address and in the early days of his administration. With foreign policy and women's issues front and center during election season, women around the world will be listening carefully to hear what commitments the new president will propose. Since they know the impact of U.S. policy firsthand, they will also be paying close attention to the reaction from Congress.

Summary: By Gillian Kane, former Assistant Program Officer, Latin America, IWHC.  Published in Gender and Development, July 2008. Uses the recent experiences of Colombia, Mexico City, and Nicaragua to highlight shared challenges, establish linkages with other countries in the region, and demonstrate that the many different strategies which have been adopted present an opportunity to expand access to safe, legal abortion throughout Latin America. 16 pages.

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Summary: By Kate Bourne (Health Care for Women International, 28:8, 677-679, 2007, London: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC). This editorial discusses the particular vulnerability of women to HIV/AIDS and the need for policy changes that are responsive to women's realities to protect women from the feminization of the epidemic (3 pages).