|
Every
country in the world is now party to at least one human rights
treaty that addresses health-related rights, including the right
to health - i.e. to the highest attainable standard of health -
and a number of rights related to conditions necessary for
health.
Human rights bring to
health enhanced government accountability and heightened
attention to the most vulnerable, emphasizing empowerment,
participation, information, education and freedom from
discrimination
Promoting
and protecting health and respecting, promoting and protecting
human rights are inextricably linked:
-
Vulnerability
to ill-health can be reduced by taking steps to respect,
protect and fulfil human rights (e.g. freedom from
discrimination on account of race, sex and gender roles,
rights to food, basic education -societal determinants of
health.)
-
Health
policies and programmes can promote or violate human rights
in their design or implementation (e.g. rights to
participation, freedom from discrimination, individual
autonomy, physical integrity, rights to privacy and
information, attention to vulnerable groups.)
-
Violations
or lack of attention to human rights can have serious health
consequences. (e.g. harmful traditional practices, torture,
violence against women)
Approach
WHO’s
approach is to foster a mutually reinforcing interaction between
the promotion and protection of health and the promotion and
protection of human rights.
This
is achieved through the following three core areas of work:
-
Develop
a health and human rights approach within WHO
-
Promote
health interests on the international human rights agenda
-
Support
governments to integrate human rights in health policies and
strategies
Develop
a health and human rights approach within WHO:
A
strategy on health and human rights would provide a
comprehensive framework and institutional platform for WHO
technical work in this area of increasing importance. To
strengthen the process of developing a strategy, work has
focused on initiating “Basic building blocks” to provide a
strong foundation for future technical work:
Promote
health interests on the international human rights agenda:
Support
governments to integrate human rights in health policies and
strategies
|
