Statement on the promotion, protection and fulfilment of sexual and reproductive health and rights

Overview

The promotion, protection and fulfilment of sexual and reproductive health and rights are currently experiencing marked resistance around the world.

This is evident in a sustained lack of sufficient funding; stigmatisation of both users and providers of sexual and reproductive health services; continued support for harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation; paring down of legislation that protects women’s rights; tolerance of violence against women and girls; increasing restrictions on access to, and provision of, scientifically accurate sexual and reproductive health information, including comprehensive sexuality education; unnecessary restrictions on the availability of contraceptive methods; and the imposition of legal barriers, such as third party consent requirements, to sexual and reproductive health services.