Annex 1 General ­Recommendation Provisions related to Reproductive Rights According to Paragraph 14, “The obligation to respect rights requires States parties to refrain from obstructing action taken by women in pursuit of their health goals. States parties should report on how public and private health care providers meet their duties to respect women’s rights to have access to health care. For example, States parties should not restrict women’s access to health ­services or to the clinics that provide those services on the ground that women do not have the authorization of husbands, partners, parents or health authorities, because they are unmarried or because they are women. Other barriers to women’s access to appropriate health care include laws that criminalize medical procedures only needed by women and that punish women who undergo those procedures.” Paragraph 15 deals with gender-based violence: “The ­obligation to protect rights relating to women’s health requires States ­parties, their agents and offi cials to take action to prevent and impose ­sanctions for violations of rights by private persons and ­organizations. Since gender-based violence is a critical health issue for women, States parties should ensure: 1. The enactment and effective enforcement of laws and the ­formulation of policies, including health care protocols and ­hospital procedures to address violence against women and abuse of girl children and the provision of appropriate health services; 2. Gender-sensitive training to enable health care workers to detect and manage the health consequences of gender-based violence; 3. Fair and protective procedures for hearing complaints and imposing appropriate sanctions on health care professionals guilty of sexual abuse of women patients; 143