“At 14 years old, I had a cancer lymphoma endangering my life and raising concerns that my treatment would affect my fertility and ability to have children. This is the story of many women in my country”
Mililani Ganivet tells her own story at the CEDAW 86th Session, as it represents many women suffering the impacts of 30 years of nuclear testing conducted by France in its overseas territory of “French Polynesia”.
Her story is not an isolated case. It unveils the untold struggles of women in French-occupied Polynesia and highlights France’s refusal to acknowledge the intergenerational health consequences of its nuclear testing program.
Exposure to radiation affects fertility and pregnancy intergenerationally. It’s time to address the gender-specific impacts of nuclear testing on women’s bodies.
Our shadow report, “The consequences of nuclear testing on women’s rights in French Polynesia – Mā’Ohi Nui“, emphasizes that women in French Polynesia bear the consequences of nuclear testing, and gender-specific health issues demand immediate attention.
In response to our submission, CEDAW issued its statement noting with concern the lack of measures taken by France to address the impact of its 30 years of nuclear testing on the health of women and girls in French Polynesia.
CEDAW recommends that France act now to assess this impact in a rigorous, transparent and gender-sensitive manner and accelerate the processing of claims for the compensation of victims.
The clock is ticking: France now has 2 years to provide written information on the steps taken to implement these recommendations.
Download now our Shadow Report “The consequences of nuclear testing on women’s rights in French Polynesia – Mā’Ohi Nui“