Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng
UN Special Rapporteur
31 July 2020
Dear Dr Mofokeng
RE: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR APPOINTMENT
SECTION27 and partners would like to congratulate you on your appointment as the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Health. Your appointment by the Human Rights Council is in addition to your roles as a medical practitioner in private practice, a Commissioner on the Commission for Gender Equality and a health rights advocate with a special interest in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 guarantees everyone the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care; sufficient food and water and social security. You are uniquely positioned as one of South Africa’s most respected and trusted healthcare providers to understand what these rights mean in practice. You have been an excellent activist for health with a deep understanding of the socio-political and economic determinants of health.
As an international activist for sexual and reproductive health and rights, you do not shy away from advocating for neglected and controversial issues including those related to gender and sexuality, abortion, adolescent sexuality and sexual and gender based violence to name a few. This was especially evident when you were the adviser to the technical committee for the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework Strategy in South Africa.
You have bravely championed access to safe abortion and have saved many young women’s lives by providing them with safe abortion information and services. There is no doubt that your vast experience, knowledge and expertise in health advocacy and service provision overall, will greatly benefit the world, especially those in developing countries.
We are immensely proud that you are the first black, African woman to occupy the position of the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Health.
We are confident that the issues of the most vulnerable in society, such as women, children, people living with disabilities and queer folk, will be given the attention they deserve. Your appointment has come at a critical time where the rights to sexual and reproductive health have been under threat globally and are yet to be fully realised in South Africa. Your voice will undoubtedly ensure that, whilst we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sexual and reproductive health needs of vulnerable sectors of society are being met.
We are in full support of your appointment and look forward to continue working together towards the advancement of the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
We wish you a gratifying and fruitful journey ahead.
https://section27.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Dr-Tlaleng-letter-31072020.pdf
Sincerely,
ARASA
Beyond the Silence
Care Alicedale Community Centre
Emmanuel Community Projects
Justice & Women
Lawyers for Human Rights
Lifeline Rustenburg
Partners in Sexual Health
People’s Health Movement South Africa
Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP)
SECTION27
Sisonke Sex Workers Movement
Siyakwazi Youth Network
Sonke Gender Justice
SRHRAFrica Trust
SWEAT
Treatment Action Campaign
Teddy Bear Clinic
Women’s Legal Centre
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