Amidst increasing suppression of free speech and public protest, is fruitful public resistance possible? Our Theme articles in this issue bring out the concrete experiences of communities and advocacy groups from the global South, of asserting their rights to life and health. Their insights emerged during the Community of Practitioners for Accountability and Social Action in Health (COPASAH) Global Symposium in late 2019. This brought together several activists and scholars, who shared their valuable analyses, successes and failures in organising people, especially deprived communities, to demand fulfilment of their right to good health. The central focus was the authorities’ responsibility to deliver and be held accountable, and how best to achieve that. The Theme section includes an overview of the symposium’s deliberations and themes; while other articles share lessons gained in the field of community action; in facing challenges from an increasingly dominant private healthcare sector; in policies concerning sexual and reproductive rights; and focusing attention on the psychosocial health of individuals of all genders.
This issue also has a study of the dire situation reported in addiction treatment centres in India, continuing coverage of Covid-19 pandemic challenges, and a comment on the growth of teleconsultation.
Two authors reflect on the impact of domestic abuse on the survivors, while a commentator analyses the ethics of listening to such narratives.
We mourn the untimely loss of Keshav Desiraju, a public servant who truly served the public and had so much more to contribute.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cover credit: ‘Spinder hunter savouring the thought of nectar’ courtesy of Dr Jayashree Kulkarni