Implications of Emergency Contraception on Reproductive Rights
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/jis.v5i4.58613Keywords:
emergency contraception, sexual violence, reproductive rights, responsive law, medical ethicsAbstract
Emergency contraception plays a strategic role in the reproductive health care system, particularly in the care of women who are victims of sexual violence. This service plays a crucial role in preventing unwanted pregnancies resulting from violence. Although Indonesia has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and has several national regulations recognizing victims' rights to access medical services, regulations regarding emergency contraception have not been formulated explicitly and comprehensively. Consequently, the implementation of this service in the field still faces various challenges. This study aims to examine the legal and ethical framework governing the provision of emergency contraception in Indonesia and assess its implications for the fulfillment of women's reproductive health rights. The method used is a normative juridical approach with an analysis of relevant laws and regulations, as well as an empirical approach to understand the reality of practice in the field. The results indicate that the lack of clear and specific regulations regarding emergency contraception is a major obstacle. In addition, moral dilemmas faced by health workers, social stigma against victims of sexual violence, and strong conservative cultural values also influence access to and quality of services. This study emphasizes the importance of clearer and more responsive policy reforms, strengthening the professional ethics of healthcare workers, and developing human rights-based education in reproductive health. A transformation of social values is also necessary to create a more inclusive and non-discriminatory environment. Therefore, emergency contraception should not be understood solely as a medical intervention, but rather as part of the fulfillment of human rights, which requires fair, ethical, and pro-vulnerable legal guarantees.
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