Global Issues

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) refers not only to the absence of illness but to empowerment and wellbeing.

The IFPA uses the 2018 definition of sexual and reproductive health and rights proposed by the Guttmacher Lancet Commission. This definition of SRHR builds on various international and regional agreements, as well as technical reports and guidelines.

“Sexual and reproductive health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to all aspects of sexuality and reproduction, not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Therefore, a positive approach to sexuality and reproduction should recognize the part played by pleasurable sexual relationships, trust and communication in promoting self-esteem and overall well-being. All individuals have a right to make decisions governing their bodies and to access services that support that right. Achieving sexual and reproductive health relies on realizing sexual and reproductive rights, which are based on the human rights of all individuals to:

• have their bodily integrity, privacy and personal autonomy respected
• freely define their own sexuality, including sexual orientation and gender identity and expression
• decide whether and when to be sexually active
• choose their sexual partners
• have safe and pleasurable sexual experiences
• decide whether, when and whom to marry
• decide whether, when and by what means to have a child or children, and how many children to have
• have access over their lifetimes to the information, resources, services and support necessary to achieve all the above, free from discrimination, coercion, exploitation and violence.”

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Conflicts and Emergencies

More people around the world are fleeing their homes in search of safety and refuge than at any other point in history. Humanitarian crises disproportionately affect women and girls, creating new risks and vulnerabilities.

Young People’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Policy attention and financial investment in young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights is crucial to their wellbeing and to ensure that young people can make positive contributions to their families and communities and to sustainable development globally.

Girls’ Education

Access to primary and secondary education is critical girls’ and women’s reproductive health and well-being, to the eradication of harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage and to the achievement of gender equality and sustainable development.

Access to modern forms of contraception

Investment by donor governments to address the global unmet need for modern methods of contraception is essential. Having the means to decide whether and with who to parent and to plan the number and spacing of children is a matter of health and of human rights and is critical to women’s ability to participate in their communities.

Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality

Sexual and reproductive health and rights are indispensable to the empowerment of women: unless women and girls can exercise reproductive autonomy, control their fertility and have equitable access to healthcare, of gender equality cannot be achieved and the realisation of other human rights will continue to be hampered.