Sexual and reproductive health and rights

Sexual and reproductive health and rights is a holistic concept that combines the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health with the rights to make decisions about one's own body, free from discrimination, coercion, and violence. It includes access to family planning, maternal and newborn care, safe abortion where legal, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and sexual education. The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality, not merely the absence of disease.¹ The rights dimension draws on international human rights treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which obligates states to ensure reproductive rights.²

The modern SRHR agenda was shaped by the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, which shifted focus from population control to individual rights and well-being. Its Programme of Action defined reproductive health and called for universal access to reproductive health services by 2015. The 1995 Beijing Platform for Action further recognized women's sexual rights as human rights. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (good health) and Goal 5 (gender equality), include targets on maternal mortality, family planning, and reproductive rights.³ These frameworks have been instrumental in advancing national policies, though implementation remains uneven.

Despite progress, SRHR faces significant challenges, including restrictive laws, stigma, and inadequate funding. Unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal death in countries with restrictive laws, with an estimated 45% of all abortions performed unsafely.⁴ Adolescents often lack access to youth-friendly services and comprehensive sexuality education, leading to high rates of unintended pregnancy and HIV. Controversies arise over the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality education and abortion in SRHR programs, with opposition from conservative groups and some governments. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted SRHR services, exacerbating inequalities.

Beyond the mainstream focus, SRHR includes lesser-known dimensions such as the rights of intersex individuals to bodily autonomy, the sexual health needs of older adults, and the impact of climate change on reproductive health. The term 'sexual rights' was not explicitly defined in the ICPD Programme of Action but was later elaborated by WHO and other bodies, emphasizing the right to pleasure and sexual expression. Historically, the birth control movement of the early 20th century, led by figures like Margaret Sanger, laid groundwork for reproductive rights, though Sanger's legacy is contested due to eugenics associations.⁵ Additionally, SRHR is increasingly linked to environmental sustainability, as population dynamics and reproductive choices intersect with climate adaptation.

ICPD

International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo in 1994.

Comprehensive sexuality education

Age-appropriate, culturally relevant education about sexuality, relationships, and reproductive health.

Unsafe abortion

Termination of pregnancy performed by persons lacking necessary skills or in environments lacking minimal medical standards.