STFers meet with HRW’s Margaret Wurth to discuss children’s rights. Photo by Kristin Ghazarians
January 25, 2026: About 30 STFers met with Margaret Wurth, a senior researcher in Human Rights Watch’s Children’s Rights Division, to hear about her journey as a human rights advocate and how she came to focus on children’s health.
Margaret spoke about her recent research on young people’s access to reproductive health care and her advocacy strategy to end state laws requiring healthcare providers to notify a parent about a young person’s abortion decision that may cause harmful delays and can block access to health care.
STFers asked pressing questions including, “How have current politics impacted HRW’s research?,” “Has your work with HRW changed your perspective on the world?” and “What is one thing you do to keep yourself motivated during tumultuous times for human rights?”.
When asked for advice on how she would encourage student advocates to safely continue their work, Margaret said, “You are all so brave being out in the streets!… Be brave but be safe. There are lots of ways to exercise your rights that aren’t attending protests. An important way to break down barriers is to have heartfelt talks with those we know. There is no one way to work for human rights.”