Repro Health in Review: 11 Highlights of 2011

We saw a number of significant moments in global reproductive health during 2011 -- from historic court rulings to scientific breakthroughs to the launch of a new UN agency dedicated to women's equality and empowerment. Check out our digital timeline of 2011 highlights! Or scroll down for a complete list.

Repro Health in Review: 11 Highlights of 2011 on Dipity.

October 31: The world’s 7 billionth baby joins the global community.

October 4: A study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases (October issue) suggests a possible link between hormonal contraceptives and HIV.

August 10: The UN CEDAW issues an historic ruling that governments have a human rights obligation to guarantee access to maternal health services.

August 1:  The Obama Administration issues new standards requiring health insurance plans to cover women's contraceptives without co-payments.

July 6: In a 2-1 decision, a New York appeals court ruled that the “anti-prostitution pledge” violates the First Amendment by forcing funding recipients to take on the government’s viewpoint as if it were their own.

May 17: The World Health Organization expands its list of essential medicines to include misoprostol, a lifesaving drug that prevents postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal death.

May 12: A study by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reveals that early treatment for HIV patients can significantly reduce chances of transmission.

April 15: The U.S. Congress passes the FY2011 Continuing Resolution, ending a budgetary impasse that sparked a nationwide debate about women’s reproductive health and rights.

March 3: Two Ugandan families take maternal health rights into their own hands by bringing a lawsuit against their government for the needless deaths of two mothers in a North Uganda clinic.

February 1: A 2010 Demographic Health Survey in Bangladesh reveals a significant 40% decline in maternal mortality in less than a decade. Learn about EngenderHealth’s role in improving maternal health in Bangladesh.

February 24: Secretary General launches UN Women, signifying a historic step to marshal resources and mandates for greater impact in gender equality and women’s empowerment.

January 6: 600 UK women reported unwanted pregnancies while using the Implanon contraceptive implant, creating a pregnancy scare among clients. Read our commentary on the role of training for implants.

Snapshots: Eliza of Tanzania

In Arusha, Tanzania, Eliza talks with a patient at the Ngarenaro Health Clinic. Learn more about EngenderHealth’s work to improve clinical quality.

Photo credit: Mark Tuschman