Sexual and reproductive rights of women

Women and girls around the world, especially those living in poverty, face restricted or no access to information and services about their reproductive health and rights. Some of the barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights include discrimination, stigma, restrictive laws and policies, and entrenched traditions. Progress remains slow despite the evidence that these rights can have a transformative effect, not only on individual women, but on families, communities, and national economies. In order to drive equality, we all must commit—fully and actively—to the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all women, girls, and trans people. We believe that all women, girls, and LBTQI people have the right to live without fear of violence or discrimination, and should be able to make decisions about their sexuality and sexual health that are best for them.

Good sexual and reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. They must be informed and empowered to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. And when they decide to have children, women must have access to services that can help them have a fit pregnancy, safe delivery and healthy baby.

Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health that vary amongst countries around the world. Reproductive rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. They also include the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination , coercion and violence. Women's reproductive rights may include some or all of the following: the right to legal and safe abortion ; the right to birth control ; freedom from coerced sterilization and contraception; the right to access good-quality reproductive healthcare ; and the right to education and access in order to make free and informed reproductive choices.

Women are also often blamed for infertility, suffering ostracism and being subjected various human rights violations as a result. Human rights standards in this area are summarized in the OHCHR information series on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Call for submissions - Follow-up report on the application of the technical guidance on the application of a HRBA to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity.