Ana Cristina González Vélez

International Senior Specialist

Causa Justa

Ana Cristina is a Colombian Medical Doctor with a PhD in bioethics and public health. She was a Harvard LEAD Fellow on Women in Global Health. She is a researcher, teacher, and expert on the right to health and gender equality, strategically positioning a critique on the use of criminal law to regulate abortion and in building coalitions like Causa Justa movement that helped usher Colombia to one of the most liberal abortion laws globally. In addition to her consulting roles with ECLAC and PAHO, Ana Cristina is the Cofounder of La Mesa por la Vida and was included as one of 100 most influential people in TIME. Her most recent publication is in the Elgar Encyclopedia of Crime and Criminal Justice.

Event Schedule

DAY 1

18 July 2023

DAY 2

19 July 2023

Start Time	End Time	Session	Description	Action
02:30 pm EEST	04:00 pm EEST	From Attacks to Advancements: Charting the Path for SRHR in a Changing World Plenary KCC Auditorium	Watch the recording here The global health landscape has undergone significant shifts, impacting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), includling the Read More Watch the recording here The global health landscape has undergone significant shifts, impacting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), includling the emerging harmful anti-rights movements that hinder SRHR progress. Advocates, practitioners, multilateral leaders, private sector innovators and duty bearers will highlight the importance of bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. They will also share their insights on how to address urgent challenges in SRHR. Converstations will center on how to catalyze funding and expand our understanding of family planning, keeping bodily autonomy and its impact on personal agency, equality, and well-being at the forefront of much-needed global shifts. This will be followed by a fireside talk that will explore the far-reaching consequences of abortion restrictions and the women who are working to restore this crucial right. Together we will map sustained progress towards a world where everyone can make decisions about their own life and future. Opening: Jennie Joseph, Common Sense ChildBirth Moderator: Dr. Joannie Bewa, MD, MPH is a physician, researcher, global advocate for girls, women and reproductive health Group 1: Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director UNFPA Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Executive Director Disability Rights Fund (DRF) Group 2: Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Easter Okech, KEFEADO in Kenya Group 3: Samukeliso Dube, Executive Director FP2030 Kevin Ali, Chief Executive Officer Organon Minister Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development of Canada Fireside Chat (Abortion Rights): Dr. Angela Akol, Director IPAS Africa Alliance Ana Cristina Gonzalez Velez, Causa Justa Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights Read Less Speakers Reyusha Chalise SRHR Project Officer Beyond Beijing Committee Nepal Dr. Joannie Marlene Bewa Senior Health Researcher & Moderator Moderate the Panel Nancy Northup President and CEO Center for Reproductive Rights Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan Minister of International Development Global Affairs Canada, Government of Canada Ana Cristina González Vélez International Senior Specialist Causa Justa Anita Zaidi President Gender Equality Division The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Angela Akol, MD, PhD Director Ipas Africa Alliance Kevin Ali CEO Organon Catalina Devandas Executive Director Disability Rights Fund (DRF) Samukeliso Dube Executive Director FP2030 Natalia Kanem Executive Director UNFPA

Start Time	End Time	Session	Description	Action
10:30 am EEST	12:00 pm EEST	Achieving Access to Abortion as a Human Right Concurrent Room MH 1-1	Over the past 25 years, nearly 60 countries have liberalized their abortion laws, expanding the grounds under which abortion is legal and enhancing access to this Read More Over the past 25 years, nearly 60 countries have liberalized their abortion laws, expanding the grounds under which abortion is legal and enhancing access to this essential reproductive health service. At a time when reproductive rights remain under attack, it is important to recognize the overwhelming trend towards the liberalization of abortion laws and examine what sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocates can learn from these successes. Progress has been achieved across LAC, Africa and Asia through steadfast advocacy by feminist organizations who have built vast coalitions in support of individuals’ reproductive freedom and leveraged a range of different political and legal avenues. This session will explore the stories behind these successes, hearing directly from key civil society actors who have been at the forefront of advancing abortion rights in countries across the globe. It will also set forth a transformative vision on abortion rights that centers individual autonomy and decision-making. Session format: Thought leadership Organized by Center for Reproductive Rights; Causa Justa, GIRE, Forum for Women in Law and Development Read Less Speakers Rebeca Ramos Lawyer / Executive Director GIRE Amanda Joan Julian Mary Banura Chief Executive Director, Journalist, IT and AYSRH Consultant Uganda Youth Alliance for Family Planning and Adolescent Health Sabin Shrestha Executive Director Forum for Women, Law and Development Ana Cristina González Vélez International Senior Specialist Causa Justa

Speakers

contact@wd2023-conference.org