Abortion rights are human rights

In Women Deliver Conference 2026 - largest gathering on gender equality this year - a conversation unfolded that was as urgent as it was deeply contested: abortion rights are human rights. Framed within the broader agenda of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), this SHE & Rights session brought together activists, media voices, and advocates who are working across vastly different political and cultural landscapes. Yet despite these differences, what united them was a shared insistence that abortion is not merely a policy issue or a moral debate—it is fundamentally about dignity, autonomy, and the right to decide over one’s own body.

Good girls first take care of themselves before they may choose to be carers for others

The common phrase 'good girls take care of family' reflects a deeply ingrained social expectation, often referred to as 'Good Girl Syndrome,' where girls and women are expected to be nurturers, compliant, and prioritise others' needs over their own. This often translates to handling household burdens, emotional labour, and caregiving to ensure family stability.

56 months left to end female genital mutilation/ cutting: Are we on track?

In Women Deliver Conference 2026, a session unfolded with a title that felt less like a discussion and more like a deadline: "56 months left to end female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C): Are we on track?" The urgency was unmistakable. Female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C), a practice internationally recognised as a violation of human rights, remains deeply embedded in social, cultural, and structural systems across parts of the world. Yet what this session made clear is that the question is not only whether the world is on track to end it - but whether the world is truly listening to those most affected, and whether the strategies in place are grounded in their lived realities.

Is progressive and feminist trade unionism largely missing from Women Deliver 2026?

The 2026 Women Deliver Conference brought together more than 6,500 advocates, researchers, policy makers and donors all committed to advancing women’s human rights. But what if there was a key strategy that has been instrumental in advancing women’s human rights but largely missing from the conference?

Turning development justice analysis into collective actions

Despite growing backlash against women’s rights and feminist movements globally, it gives hope to see that the world’s largest gathering on gender equality this year – Women Deliver Conference 2026 - was attended by around 6000 people from 189 countries globally. The city that hosted this meet - Narrm or Melbourne in Australia - has an inspiring history of resistance which runs through its lands and waters, carried by generations of First Nations (indigenous) leaders, feminists, and activists who have fought for justice, self-determination, and collective care.

SHE & Rights Media Awards Ceremony 2026 - Women Deliver Conference 2026 #WD2026

[video] Equitable access for youth to sexual, reproductive and mental health: Rethinking funding, integration

[video] Reclaiming the Narrative: Media, SHR and Feminist Storytelling | Fireside chat at Women Deliver Conference 2026

[video] Reflections from Women Deliver Conference 2026 and way forward to deliver on SDG-5 and SDG-3 by 2030

[video] Transgender rights in anti-rights era

[video] Ending AIDS in anti-rights and anti-gender era

[video] 56 months left to end FGM/C: Are we on track?

[video] Centring breast and cervical cancer prevention and care in gender justice, rights and evidence

[video] Gender sensitive local actions are critical for reducing NCDs and ending TB, tobacco use

[video] Abortion rights are human rights

[video] Legally binding treaty for development justice for older persons

[video] Drug resistance or Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) under gender lens | Women Deliver Conference 2026

[video] Know more about 9th RHNK Pan African Adolescents and Youth SRHR Conference 2026 and SVRI Forum 2026

[video] Cook Islands in the Pacific: Sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice

[video] Are gender equality and right to health taking primacy in development?

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 15: Equitable access for youth to sexual, reproductive and mental health: Rethinking funding towards integrated models

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 14: Reflections from WD2026 and way forward to deliver on SDG5 and SDG3 by 2030

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights Media Awards Ceremony 2026

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 12: Transgender rights in anti-rights era

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 11: Ending AIDS in anti-rights and anti-gender era

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 10: 56 months left to end FGM/C: Are we on track?

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 9: Centring breast and cervical cancer prevention and care in gender justice, rights and evidence

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 8: Gender sensitive local actions are critical for reducing NCDs and ending TB, tobacco use

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 7: Abortion rights are human rights

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 6: Legally binding treaty for development justice for older persons

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 5: AMR under gender lens

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session-4: Reclaiming the narrative: Media, SRHR and Feminist Storytelling

 

SHE & Rights LIVE #WD2026: Session 3: 9th RHNK Pan African adolescent & youth SRHR conference 2026 and SVRI Forum 2026

SHE & Rights LIVE at the Women Deliver Conference 2026 - sessions are being hosted at D03 Exhibition Space in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. All sessions are hybrid, live-streamed and host online and onsite speakers and participants including media.