December Human Rights Awareness Month

The Peach Corps is committed to advancing and safeguarding Human Rights for all individuals, with a particular focus on those impacted by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, adenomyosis, and the chronic health conditions associated with these invisible disabilities.

This December, as we enter Human Rights Awareness Month, our commitment to our community and the individuals we advocate for warrants an examination of both the historical and contemporary intersections of health, gender, and society. In recent years, global initiatives have developed to create supportive environments surrounding menstruation, exemplified by sanitation education programs and the distribution of free sanitary products (UN, 2018).

While these initiatives represent significant progress, they are but one aspect of a broader agenda. The issue of medical gaslighting within the chronic illness community persists across various contexts. Notably, data from the United Nations Development Programme indicate that the global literacy rate for adults with disabilities is alarmingly low, at approximately 3% (UN, 2020). This statistic warrants critical examination of the systemic barriers individuals with invisible disabilities face.

It is essential to interrogate the various spheres from which these individuals are excluded. Are misdiagnoses contributing to their marginalization? Are healthcare providers inadequately addressing the pain and suffering experienced by patients, thereby perpetuating a culture of validation that undermines the legitimacy of their conditions? Empirical studies reveal that female patients and patients of color are disproportionately likely to experience medical gaslighting by having their symptoms dismissed by medical professionals (Moyer, 2024). This demonstrates a very concerning pattern of disparities in healthcare accessibility and treatment, especially among conditions that can only be treated by dictation from the victim suffering from said condition.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, articulates in Article 3 that "Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person (UN, 1948)." Despite the existence of these fundamental rights, many individuals with invisible disabilities find themselves deprived of their security and dignity due to systemic medical gaslighting. Medical gaslighting not only invalidates their voices but also exacerbates their suffering, creating an untenable burden that undermines their well-being.

At The Peach Corps, we advocate for the empowerment of all individuals in their pursuit of optimal well-being. Our mission is to support and uphold invaluable human rights for all individuals, assuring that they do not have to endure suffering due to the limitations imposed by their bodies, nor should they be subjected to societal indifference because of these conditions. We must engage in a concerted effort to address these inequities, ensuring that the rights and dignity of those with invisible disabilities are respected and upheld within the healthcare system and society at large.

Together, the Peach Corps seeks to lay the groundwork for building a safer and more inclusive society for all victims of chronic health conditions. We believe that together, we can create a better world and a brighter future for our children! Our mission is sweet and bold- heroes must peel back their doubts and stand tall. One peach at a time, let courage blossom! The time for change is now!

Moyer, Melinda Wenner. "Women Are Calling Out 'Medical Gaslighting'." New York Times [Digital Edition], 28 Mar. 2022, p. NA. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A754490230/AONE?u=anon~ef92030f&sid=googleScholar&xid=e5720369. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights  United Nations. (2018, July 27). Putting Menstrual Health on the 2030 Agenda. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/putting-menstrual-health-2030-agenda  United Nations. (2020, December 14). Disability and higher education: "but you don't look disabled": Legitimizing invisible disabilities. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/%E2%80%9C-you-don%E2%80%99t-look-disabled-legitimizing-invisible-disabilities