Gender commission concerned about mandatory vaccines

THE Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) have noted a study published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology medical journal, released on January 5, which found that vaccines may cause a small change to the menstrual cycle length, but that this change is temporary.

The CGE is still concerned, especially if vaccination is mandatory.

According to it, while health experts believe this finding is not clinically significant, they would like to caution businesses and various institutions against forcing employees to vaccinate and imposing harsh sanctions on them if they do not.

“The commission is aware that several companies in the corporate and retail sectors have introduced mandatory vaccinations in their workplaces, and many more may follow suit,” said the commission.

They would like to warn that mandatory vaccination does not supersede the South African Constitution and its provisions.

“Section 12 (2) of the Constitution states that everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes the right – (a) to make decisions concerning reproduction; (b) to security in and control over their body and (c) not to be subjected to medical or scientific experiments without their informed consent,” said the commission.

Of concern was that employees who do not vaccinate may have their contracts terminated by employers if vaccination mandates are allowed to continue without taking the workers’ human rights into consideration.

The CGE has cast its eyes on the retail sector, where a high number of young women are employed as cashiers and cleaners, and many are not in a position to negotiate with their employers if they do not wish to vaccinate.

“Maintaining public health, reaching herd immunity, and preventing mutating Covid-19 variants are noble acts but should not be achieved by trampling the basic human rights that are enshrined in the Constitution,” added the commission.

It added that when scientists establish a connection between Covid-19 vaccinations and women’s reproductive health, such as menstrual cycles, many women may not be comfortable taking vaccines due to possible longterm effects. “These women’s wish to delay vaccinating should be respected in the context of our country’s human rights commitment,” said the CGE.

The commission also called for institutions of higher learning to afford the same respect to students and workers who may not wish to vaccinate.

The commission said that due to South Africa’s legacy of oppression, economic inequality and limited access to information, many students and workers were not empowered to negotiate with big corporates and institutions.

“The commission has long taken a commitment to promote and protect the sexual and reproductive health rights of girls, women, and men. It must be acknowledged that Covid-19 is a relatively new pandemic and that scientists in South Africa and around the world are still working to assess long-term effects of vaccines,” said the commission.

Finally, the commission is of the view that it was more critical for women, who have to manage menstrual health, contraception, and sexual reproduction, as part of their reproductive health.