SOCIAL, HUMANITARIAN, AND CULTURAL COMMITTEE

topic summary

Reproductive rights allow women to be in control of their own bodies, and these rights include having a safe pregnancy and delivery, with adequate care and access to family planning counseling and a range of modern contraceptive methods. 

Reproductive rights are human rights, yet they are not universally recognized or protected. Many women around the world still lack access to basic reproductive health care and information. They also face legal, social, and cultural barriers to exercising their reproductive rights. This can have devastating consequences for their health, wellbeing, and autonomy. In most developing countries, girls and women have the least access to quality care during pregnancy and childbirth. This inequality can often result in maternal death. Moreover, it has other lasting repercussions on girl’s and women’s health, educational and career opportunities, and contribution to their nation’s development.

The goal of this committee is to develop a framework to bolster reproductive rights for women around the world. We will consider the following questions in our committee: How can we go about strengthening women’s health education systems in vulnerable communities? How can we go about garnering stories and understanding the needs of women and girls in these communities? Are there key partnerships we can make to spark more rapid change? How does culture play a role in how outspoken countries are about this issue? What power do we hold to change social norms that limit women’s autonomy and ability to be independent?

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to HNMUN 2024! I am so thrilled that you’ll be part of the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM) this year.

My name is Dhriti Vadlakonda, and I will be your director! I am a sophomore at the college, originally from Columbia, Maryland. I am majoring in Engineering Sciences. Outside of Model UN, I dance on Harvard’s Deepam team, sing with the Radcliffe Pitches acapella group, and compete with Harvard Mock Trial. In my free time, I love to go out and explore new places in Boston with my friends, jam out to Bollywood music in my dorm, and watch LOTS of TV (when time permits lol).

I joined Harvard’s Intercollegiate Model UN team my freshman year! I had never done anything MUN-related before, but I quickly fell in love with the challenge of the sport and the lively community. MUN has sparked new interests in international relations, diplomacy, and policy for me, which was so eye-opening because I have always been a #WomaninSTEM. At MUN conferences, I love being an integral part of the action and collaborating with people to create imminent change (even if it is in a Marriott hotel). And, on top of all that, I believe the best part of MUN is making new friends from diverse backgrounds through committee sessions, after parties, and early-morning Starbucks adventures!

As your Director, I am committed to ensuring a productive and engaging experience for you all, and I cannot wait to see your brilliant ideas come to life. It is my hope that you will approach the  topic at hand with an open mind and open heart. By doing so, you will not only deepen your understanding of this complex issue afflicting vulnerable communities, but you will also develop important skills in critical thinking, diplomacy, and collaboration.

I want to wish you all the best of luck in your preparations for SOCHUM. I am confident that you all will absolutely dominate and make this a memorable experience. If you have any questions or concerns leading up to the conference, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,

Dhriti Vadlakonda

Director, Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee

Harvard National Model United Nations 2024