Covid-19 and Promoting Human Rights in Healthcare of Women, Children and Prisoners

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to undertake a critical analysis of the human rights abuses on women, children and prisoners, and the implications on their health in this COVID-19 period, vis-à-vis the international human rights covenants on this.

Design/Methodology/Approach

The authors adopted doctrinaire critical analysis approach. Data were analyzed qualitatively. The international human rights in healthcare instruments and covenants as pertains to women, children and prisoners, and reports of their healthcare human right abuses in some parts of the world were critically analyzed.

Findings

Many women are suffering human right abuses all over the world, some of which with serious negative consequences on their health, in this COVID-19 pandemic period. Some children in different countries of the world are also suffering COVID-19 induced stigmatization, xenophobia, racism, sexual abuses and many more, all of which may be having devastating effect on their mental, psychological, social, emotional and physical health. Some prisoners in different parts of the world are also subjected to inhuman conditions in this COVID-19 period, with serious negative consequences on their health. All of these negate the international human rights instruments on health.

Research Limitation/Implications

This report is based on a doctrinaire critical analysis of international human rights instruments as pertains to healthcare, with particular reference to women, children and prisoners, and reports of their healthcare human rights abuses in different parts of the world. It is limited to reports of international health and human rights’ organizations.

 Originality/Value
The originality of this paper stems from the fact that it drew its data entirely from reports of credible international organizations on health and human rights. It showcases the abuses meted on women, children and prisoners in some countries of the world in this COVID-19 period, and reflects on what the international health and human rights provisions hold on this.