Topic: Reproductive Health
Country: Lebanon
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Lebanon position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Steps must continue to be taken to improve reproductive health and autonomy for all women. If women are deprived of control over their own reproductive health, they will remain in increased danger for complicated pregnancies, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and other health risks. Lebanon recognizes and understands the need for further understanding and research into reproductive health. With work through the UNFPA Lebanon has greater spread understanding of the importance of reproductive health and has set goals to reach to further reach members of the population. These goals “will strengthen access to, and utilization of, high-quality services in underserved areas, addressing: (a) maternal mortality and morbidity; (b) unmet family planning needs; (c) sexually transmitted infections; and (d) mental health.” (Women's Perceptions of Reproductive Health in Three Communities around Beirut, Lebanon) On paper, the programs that have been set make sense, but how are they working culturally? “The women's understanding of [safe and modern] reproductive health included three major themes, which were expressed differently in the three communities. [The women’s] understanding included good physical and mental health, and underscored the need for activities promoting health. Their ability to reproduce and raise children, practice family planning and birth spacing, and go through pregnancy and motherhood safely were central to their reproductive duties and their social status. Finally, they saw reproductive health within the context of economic status, good marital relations and strength to cope with their lives.” (A 2005 Reproductive Health Matters). Some people in Lebanon has been reached, but not all, so what else is there to do? There are more things that to be done in Lebanon, financial and cultural maters still need to be faced with regards to reproductive health. Financial matters are a problem in underdeveloped parts of Lebanon. Should those who are receiving the education on reproductive health pay? Should the nation-state pay? Should there be a set program be paid for and distributed nationally? Should this program be international? Culturally reproductive health is known about, but needs more acknowledgement to be the most affective. How can countries spread ideas about reproductive health? Is this a community’s job or the countries? The UN needs to consider each of these issues when proposing a solution for reproductive health.
