Nobel Women's Initiative

Over fifty organizations, legal academics and professionals – as part of the August 12 Campaign – have sent letters to President Obama asking that he lift the abortion restrictions on humanitarian aid for girls and women raped and impregnated in armed conflict from accessing abortion information or services.

The Global Justice Center (GJC) launched the August 12 Campaign in commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the Geneva Conventions to support the rights of women survivors of war rape. The Campaign calls on Obama to issue an executive order ending the US violation of the Geneva Conventions which mandate that all persons “wounded and sick” in armed conflict -- which includes impregnated rape victims-- receive comprehensive and non-discriminatory medical care.

Thousands of rape survivors in armed conflict are routinely denied critically needed abortions in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma and Sudan. According to the CJC, the U.S. violates its responsibilities under international law and the rights of these women by attaching restrictions on humanitarian aid for rape survivors in conflict.

TAKE ACTION 

Sign the petition for the August 12 Campaign here

LEARN MORE

Read the Global Justice Center’s brief, “The Right to an Abortion for Girls and Women Raped in Armed Conflict: States’ positive obligations to provide non-discriminatory medical care under the Geneva Conventions.”

“Global Justice Centre launches “August 12 Campaign” to mark the 62^nd Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions by urging President Obama to issue an executive order lifting U.S. abortion restrictions on humanitarian aid for girls and women raped in armed conflict,” 4 July 2011, Global Justice Center.

“Why is the U.S. Waging War on Women Raped in War?,” 15 August 2011, R H Reality Check.

“U.S. Abortion Restrictions on Humanitarian Aid Violate Geneva Convention: Campaign Underway to Petition President Obama,” 11 August 2011, Our Bodies Our Blog.

“The price of US aid – sign the petition to lift abortion restrictions,” 9 August 2011, Women’s Views on News.