Benefits of sexual and reproductive health rights / Why do we need sexual and reproductive health rights?
Individuals have the right to have control over their sexual and reproductive lives and make reproductive decisions without interference or coercion. This includes having objective and age appropriate sex and relationships education and information.
All over the world millions of women, men and young people want to decide for themselves when, if and how many children to have. They want to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, and they want and need the ability to protect their health and choose their own destiny. When they are able to do so, their lives are enriched, they are healthier, and are better able to care for themselves and for their families.
Access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is essential to individual, social and economic development within every society. Family planning is now recognized not only as a basic human right, but also as a powerful cost-effective intervention to improve public health and achieve human development goals. Because women are drivers of development, providing sexual and reproductive health services and programmes to girls and women in particular will provide substantial returns to all of society. These programmes free women from the fear of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), and from circumstances where they have no voice and no power.
When women have the means to choose the number and spacing of their children they will generally choose more for their children, not more children. They are also able to participate fully in education, to improve their livelihoods and engage as full members of society. Men and boys must be supported to ensure their own health wellbeing and they must be engaged in efforts to achieve gender equality. The ability to act in a way to secure one’s own sexual and reproductive health is vital for individual health and well-being, sustainable families and communities and a sustainable planet.
Meeting the needs and improving the quality of life of present and future generations can only happen through sustainable development, and human beings need to be at the centre of efforts towards sustainable development. Addressing concerns about population is about fulfilling our commitment to human rights; these concerns should accelerate our progress in meeting the unmet need of millions for contraception. By providing contraception to all those who want and need it, we can help people create a life that they can sustain and that is of their own choosing.
The costs of investing in sexual and reproductive health and rights are minimal compared to the costs that are incurred by not making these investments. The social and economic burden of sexual ill health (including HIV and AIDS), especially in developing countries is immense. Annually, the global investment in family planning and contraceptive services prevents an estimated:
- 187 million unintended pregnancies
- 60 million unplanned births
- 105 million induced abortions
- 215,000 pregnancy-related deaths each year
- 685,000 children from losing their mothers as a result of pregnancy-related death
The promise that universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights has for achieving international development goals, for individual human rights, for sustainable communities and a sustainable planet cannot be understated. Sexual and reproductive health services and programmes empower individuals to make decisions about their own lives, and generally, when given the choice, individuals will make choices that are good for themselves, their families, and society.
PATH and United Nations Population Fund (2006) Meeting the Need: Strengthening Family Planning Programs. Seattle: PATH/UNFPA.