The concept of sexual and reproductive health, developed through significant international conferences such as the Cairo International Conference of 1994 and the IV World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, has established a framework for the recognition of rights in this domain.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner, the right to sexual and reproductive health is an integral part of every individual's right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental well-being. For women specifically, it encompasses various human rights, including the right to life, health, privacy, education, and freedom from discrimination.

Despite these established norms, violations of sexual and reproductive rights persist worldwide, often stemming from deeply ingrained beliefs and societal values surrounding women's sexuality. These violations manifest in various forms, such as restricted access to gender-specific services, inadequate service quality, third-party authorization requirements, forced sterilization, virginity examinations, forced abortion without consent, female genital mutilation (FGM), and early marriage.

Reproductive and sexual rights are vital for fostering a dignified life for all individuals, with a particular emphasis on women due to the gendered dimension. Abortion and contraception are two pivotal topics within this realm. Abortion statistics reveal the varying legal frameworks across countries:

• Approximately 576 million (36%) women of reproductive age reside in countries where abortion is permitted upon request, encompassing 75 countries globally.
• Around 386 million (24%) women of reproductive age live in countries that allow abortion on broad social or economic grounds.
• An estimated 186 million (12%) women of reproductive age reside in countries where abortion is permitted based on health grounds.
• Roughly 358 million (22%) women of reproductive age reside in countries where abortion is allowed to save the life of the woman.
• Approximately 91 million (6%) women of reproductive age live in countries where abortion is strictly prohibited.

Furthermore, it is essential to acknowledge that maternal mortality rates remain high in countries and regions where access to quality health services is challenging. While there has been global improvement, with maternal deaths decreasing from 451,000 per year in 2000 to 295,000 in 2017, Sub-Saharan Africa still faces significantly high rates. Approximately 95% of maternal mortalities occur in low- and middle-income countries, with 65% concentrated in African countries.

A survey conducted in 57 countries revealed that only 55% of women aged 15-49 with partners have decision-making rights regarding sexual and reproductive health, including accessing health services, using contraceptives, and providing sexual consent (including the right to refuse sexual intercourse).

Join us in our commitment to promoting sexual and reproductive rights in health. Together, we can advocate for comprehensive access to quality healthcare services, gender equality, and the empowerment of all individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive well-being.