Dr. Caitlin Bernard, USA

Background

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, revoking the constitutional right to abortion. After 50 years of protected abortion rights, this decision removed the reproductive autonomy of women, girls, and individuals who have a uterus by making abortion access difficult or nearly impossible in states with conservative legislatures and governors. Abortions, more specifically induced abortions, are medically performed for a variety of reasons.

María Cristina Cobo Mahecha, Colombia -

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Dr. Naty Castro, The Philippines -

1. Who is Dr. Naty Castro? 

Dora María Téllez, Nicaragua

Political prisoners banished from Nicaragua Early on the morning of February 9, 2023, 222 political prisoners, including former health minister Dora Maria Téllez, were removed from their cells or house arrest and were concentrated in an undisclosed place where they were informed of the decision of the Nicaraguan government to banish them to the United States. They were escorted to the international airport where a chartered plane took them to Washington, DC.

Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, The Philippines

1. Who is Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan?

Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan (September 3, 1960) was the municipal health officer of Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental. She was also the head of the local Inter-Agency Task Force responsible for containing the spread of COVID-19 in the city. Dr. Sancelan worked in the government as a chief health officer.

Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Turkey

Zara Alvarez, The Philippines

1. Who is Zara Alvarez? 

Zara Alvarez (March 25, 1981) was a human rights leader and defender, a health activist, and the former education director of the human rights alliance Karapatan [i], well known for her steadfast commitment to supporting the struggles of farmers, agricultural workers, and other marginalized sectors in her home province of Negros.