Nearly half the women in 57 countries around the world face restrictions on what they can do with their bodies, such as have sex, use contraception or seek health care, the UN said in a recent report. The authors of the report by the United Nations Population Fund addressed for the first time women's bodily autonomy. The study entitled My Body is My Own lists attacks on women in 57 countries, ranging from rape to forced sterilization to virginity tests and genital mutilation. The study looks at restrictions on women deciding what to do with their bodies without fear of violence or a decision from someone else on their physical integrity. The study said only 56% of the countries examined in the report have laws or policies providing for thorough sex education.

Source: The Star April 19, 2021 06:00 UTC