What Future Physicians Should Know
BUILDING CONNECTIONS:
30 Days of Human Rights & Reproductive Justice
December 2025
To mark the end of this tumultuous year we are excited to kick off a month-long series exploring reproductive health justice through a human rights lens.
At AMSA we believe reproductive rights are human rights. Something we don’t explicitly get in our curriculum as medical students is a review of the core rights that every human being is afforded. We hope that by sharing the information and links here that we can empower you with this information, and that these resources can inform your philosophy for care for patients within reproductive health and beyond. Scroll down to explore the repro justice connection we make and click the links to learn more about each of the 30 Articles that detail our Human Rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
“The power of the Universal Declaration is the power of ideas to change the world.
It inspires us to continue working to ensure all people can gain freedom, equality and dignity.”
| Discover the Declaration | Human Rights Belong to All of Us |
Deeper Dives
Explore United Nations 2025 Campaign:
Our Everyday Essentials & related Human Rights Film Tour
Whose Rights? Human Rights!
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| “Jeff, you’ve been speaking about all of these violations of learning and labor rights that medical students are subjected to, and not once did you actually say that these are human rights violations! Call them what they are!” -Loretta Ross, AMSA On Call Spotlight |
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| Voices from the Frontlines | Loretta Ross Defines “Reproductive Justice” |
| Loretta Ross Unveils the Roots & Calls in the Future of Reproductive Justice
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Deeper Dive |
We thank the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for its vast resources and work to grow understanding of our Universal Human Rights, and gratefully acknowledge these documents as sources for information shared below:
Illustrated Universal Declaration of Human Rights
30 articles on the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
DAY 2
Article 2: Freedom from Discrimination
Everyone can claim their rights regardless of sex, race, language, religion, social standing, etc.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
RJ Connection
One of the biggest issues in reproductive health in the US is the disproportionate mortality rate in black mothers. Many social and structural determinants of health play a role in the limitations that marginalized patients face. We believe that every patient should be able to access reproductive care no matter their race, religion and SES.
Food for Thought from 30 Articles on 30 Articles
Article 2 states that everyone is entitled to all the freedoms listed in the UDHR, “without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” The last words of this sentence – “other status” – have frequently been cited to expand the list of people specifically protected. READ MORE
Food for Thought Song to Share
Ella’s Song – words of Ella Baker set beautifully in song by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon of Sweet Honey & the Rock
Human Rights Quote to Share
What are we having this liberty for? We are having this liberty in order to reform our social system, which is full of inequality, discrimination and other things, which conflict with our fundamental rights.
–B. R. Ambedkar
DAY 1
Article 1: WE ARE ALL BORN FREE & EQUAL
All human beings are born free and equal and should be treated the same way.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood (sic).
RJ Connection
Reproductive justice ensures that everyone, regardless of gender, race, or income, has the freedom and resources to make decisions about their body. It’s rooted in the belief that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Food for Thought from 30 Articles on 30 Articles
Article 1: The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is – obviously – a document about human rights. So why is dignity listed before rights in Article 1? READ MORE
Food for Thought Song to Share
Get Up, Stand Up – written by Bob Marley, sung by Skip & Cedella Marley, Playing for Change
Human Rights Quote to Share
Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy.
Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.
Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. –Martin Luther King Jr.
Explore the AMSA Reproductive Health Project
Find news, tips, tools, opportunities & more!
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