Sexual and reproductive health and rights

'''Sexual and reproductive health and rights''' or ''SRHR'' is the concept of [[human rights]] applied to [[sexuality]] and [[Human reproduction|reproduction]]. It is the recognition of every person’s right to make fully informed and self-determined decisions about their sexual participation, such as contraception use, sexual partners, and access to sexual health information and services, without discrimination, violence, and/or coercion.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pithavadian |first1=Rashmi |last2=Mpofu |first2=Elias |last3=Dune |first3=Tinashe |title=Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior |date=2024 |publisher=[[Springer, Cham]] |isbn=978-3-031-08956-5 |pages=1–6 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_2467-1 |language=en |chapter=Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_2467-1}}</ref> SRHR encompasses a combination of four distinct yet interconnected fields, which may exhibit varying degrees of distinction depending on the specific context. These four fields include [[sexual health]], [[Universal Declaration of Sexual Rights|sexual rights]], [[reproductive health]] and [[reproductive rights]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Parker |first1=Willie J. |title=The moral imperative of reproductive rights, health, and justice |journal=Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology |date=2020 |volume=62 |pages=3–10 |doi=10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.07.006|pmid=31540808 }}</ref> In the broad concept of SRHR, these four fields are treated as separate, but are inherently intertwined.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inspire-partnership.org/we-love-srhr.html|title=SRHR|access-date=2019-05-02|archive-date=2019-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502051537/https://inspire-partnership.org/we-love-srhr.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Plumb |first1=Alison |title=The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies |chapter=Sexual Rights |date=2016 |pages=1–5 |doi=10.1002/9781118663219.wbegss577|isbn=978-1-4051-9694-9 }}</ref>

Distinctions between these four fields are not always made. Sexual health and reproductive health are sometimes treated as synonymous to each other, as are sexual rights and reproductive rights. In some cases, sexual rights are included in the term sexual health, or vice versa.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://ippf.org/resource/IPPF-Charter-Sexual-and-Reproductive-Rights| title=IPPF Charter on Sexual and Reproductive Rights Guidelines| date=22 November 2011| publisher=IPPF| access-date=14 April 2013| archive-date=23 December 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223155448/https://www.ippf.org/resource/IPPF-Charter-Sexual-and-Reproductive-Rights| url-status=dead}}</ref> Not only do different [[non-governmental organisation]]s (NGOs) and governments organisations{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} use different terminologies, but different terminologies are often used within the same organization.

Some of the notable global NGOs that fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights include [[International Planned Parenthood Federation|IPPF]] (International Planned Parenthood Federation), [[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association|ILGA]] (International Lesbian and Gay Alliance), WAS ([[World Association for Sexual Health]] - formerly known as World Association for Sexology), the Center for Health and Gender Equity, and International HIV/AIDS Alliance.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.aidsalliance.org/TechnicalThemeDetails.aspx?Id=10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131206105333/http://www.aidsalliance.org/TechnicalThemeDetails.aspx?Id=10 | archive-date = 6 December 2013 | url-status = dead | title = SRHR and HIV | publisher = International HIV/AIDS Alliance }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurongos.org/Default.aspx?ID=1495 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110616041715/http://www.eurongos.org/Default.aspx?ID=1495 | archive-date = 16 June 2011 | url-status = dead | title = Members of EuroNGOs | publisher = EuroNGOs }}</ref>

== History == Government-run family planning programs first began in the 1950s{{Where|date=June 2018}}.<ref name="Visaria_1999">{{cite journal | last1 = Visaria | first1 = Leela | last2 = Jejeebhoy | first2 = Shireen | last3 = Merrick | first3 = Tom | name-list-style = vanc | date = 1999 | title = From Family Planning to Reproductive Health: Challenges Facing India | jstor = 2991871 | journal = International Family Planning Perspectives | volume = 25 | pages = S44–S49 | doi=10.2307/2991871 }}</ref> However, the main objectives of these programs were often centered around population control for economic growth and development.<ref name="Ledbetter_1984">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ledbetter R | title = Thirty years of family planning in India | journal = Asian Survey | volume = 24 | issue = 7 | pages = 736–58 | date = 1984 | pmid = 11616645 | doi = 10.2307/2644186 | jstor = 2644186 }}</ref> In 1994, the [[International Conference on Population and Development|International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)]] in Cairo, Egypt marked a significant shift in perspective in regards to reproductive health and is considered to be the birth of the modern SRHR movement.<ref name="Glasier_2006">{{cite journal | vauthors = Glasier A, Gülmezoglu AM, Schmid GP, Moreno CG, Van Look PF | title = Sexual and reproductive health: a matter of life and death | journal = Lancet | volume = 368 | issue = 9547 | pages = 1595–607 | date = November 2006 | pmid = 17084760 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69478-6 | s2cid = 24712226 }}</ref> Over the course of the conference, debates surrounding family planning shifted from that of economics to that of public health and human rights.<ref name="Fincher_1994">{{cite journal | vauthors = Fincher RA | title = International Conference on Population and Development | url = https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/envpola24&id=309 | journal = Environmental Policy and Law | volume = 24 | issue = 6 | date = 1994 }}</ref> A Program of Action (PoA) was developed by the end of the ICPD and was approved and adopted by 179 countries.<ref name="ICPD">{{cite web | title = Programme of Action | url = https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/programme_of_action_Web%20ENGLISH.pdf | work = International Conference on Population and Development | location = Cairo | date = September 1994 }}</ref> The PoA affirmed sexual and reproductive health as a universal human right and outlined global goals and objectives for improving reproductive heath based around central themes of free choice, women's empowerment, and viewing sexual and reproductive health in terms of physical and emotional well-being.<ref name="Fincher_1994" /> The PoA outlined a series of goals, based on a central mission of achieving universal access to reproductive health worldwide, that were aimed to be accomplished by 2015.<ref name="Abrejo_2008">{{cite journal | vauthors = Abrejo FG, Shaikh BT, Saleem S | title = ICPD to MDGs: Missing links and common grounds | journal = Reproductive Health | volume = 5 | article-number = 4 | date = September 2008 | pmid = 18783600 | pmc = 2546384 | doi = 10.1186/1742-4755-5-4 | doi-access = free }}</ref> In 2000, the [[Millennium Development Goals|Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)]] were developed,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sachs JD, McArthur JW | title = The Millennium Project: a plan for meeting the Millennium Development Goals | journal = Lancet | volume = 365 | issue = 9456 | pages = 347–53 | date = January 2005 | pmid = 15664232 | doi = 10.1016/s0140-6736(05)70201-4}}</ref> and although reproductive health was not explicitly stated as one of the goals, it became an important component to Goals 3, 4, and 5.<ref name="Glasier_2006" /> In 2010, the original PoA was revisited by the [[United Nations]] and updated to reflect their objective of achieving universal reproductive health care by 2015.<ref name="ICPD" /> When the MDGs and ICPD PoA phased out in 2015, the next objectives for SRHR were folded into the [[Sustainable Development Goals]], the next iteration of the MDGs which outline objectives to combat poverty through 2030.<ref name="Tangcharoensathien_2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Tangcharoensathien V, Mills A, Palu T | title = Accelerating health equity: the key role of universal health coverage in the Sustainable Development Goals | journal = BMC Medicine | volume = 13 | article-number = 101 | date = April 2015 | pmid = 25925656 | pmc = 4415234 | doi = 10.1186/s12916-015-0342-3 | doi-access = free }}</ref> One of these goals, specifically SDG 5.6, is set to “ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights” which includes “informed decisions” in relation to SRHR (SDGs UN 2015).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goal 5 {{!}} Department of Economic and Social Affairs |url=https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5#targets_and_indicators |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=sdgs.un.org}}</ref> The UN is working to provide access to contraception globally and has made it an essential part of its work on SRHR. This provides the framework for countries to enact SRHR policies and allows for work to be made in an effort to reach individual autonomy within the population (autonomy referring to the ability of a woman to make decisions about herself as a basic human right).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Women's autonomy, equality and reproductive health |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/wg-women-and-girls/womens-autonomy-equality-and-reproductive-health |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=OHCHR |language=en}}</ref>

== Bodily Autonomy == Bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right, yet it is unevenly protected across global policies on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Two powerful examples are Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and abortion, reveal the contradiction in how this right is upheld. While FGM is widely condemned as a harmful traditional practice and a violation of girls’ rights, abortion remains a deeply contested issue, often restricted or stigmatized despite also involving questions of autonomy, health, and dignity. This inconsistency is especially clear in the way international organizations and donor governments allocate funding: efforts to end FGM receive broad support, while access to safe abortion is frequently underfunded, politicized, or undermined through policies like the Global Gag Rule. This imbalance reflects not a neutral application of human rights principles, but the influence of global power dynamics and cultural politics on the definition and defense of bodily autonomy.

==Sexual health== The [[World Health Organization]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/topics/sexual_health/en/|title=Sexual health|website=World Health Organization}}</ref> defines sexual health as: "Sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence."

==Sexual rights== Unlike the other three aspects of SRHR, the struggle for sexual rights include, and focus on, [[sexual pleasure]] and emotional sexual expression. One platform for this struggle is the WAS [[Declaration of Sexual Rights]].

The [[World Association for Sexual Health]] (WAS) was founded in 1978 by a multidisciplinary, world-wide group of NGOs to promote the field of sexology.

The Platform for Action from the [[1995 Beijing Conference on Women]] established that human rights include the right of women freely and without coercion, violence or discrimination, to have control over and make decisions concerning their own sexuality, including their own sexual and reproductive health.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/platform/ | title = Beijing Platform for Action, paragraphs 92, 93 and 96 | publisher = United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women | date = September 1995 }}</ref> This paragraph has been interpreted by some countries<ref>{{cite web | title = Sweden's international policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights | url = http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/574/a/61489 | website = www.regeringen.se | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140509001157/http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/574/a/61489 | archivedate = 2014-05-09 }}</ref> as the applicable definition of women's sexual rights. The UN Commission on Human Rights has established that if women had more power, their ability to protect themselves against violence would be strengthened.<ref>{{cite web | title = Human Rights Resolution E/CN.4/RES/2005/84: The protection of human rights in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) | url = https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/E/CHR/resolutions/E-CN_4-RES-2005-84.doc | date = 21 April 2005 | author = The Commission on Human Rights | publisher = The United Nations }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 20 April 2005 | title = Human Rights Resolution E/CN.4/RES/2005/41: Elimination of violence against women | url = https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/E/CHR/resolutions/E-CN_4-RES-2005-41.doc | author = The Commission on Human Rights | publisher = The United Nations }}</ref>

A significant shift occurred in the Association's history when in 1997, the World Congress of Sexology issued the Valencia Declaration of Sexual Rights. This was a visionary move on the part of María Pérez Conchillo and Juan José Borrás Valls (congress presidents) that shifted WAS to more of an advocacy organization championing sexual rights as fundamental to the promotion of sexual health and the field of sexology. A press conference was held during the Congress to publicize the adoption of the Valencia Declaration and received world-wide attention.

This declaration has had world-wide impact in the recognition of the importance of sexual rights as human rights. Besides the tremendous impact on [[World Health Organization|WHO]], our{{who|date=January 2024}} declaration provoked IPPF to issue its own declaration of Sexual Rights in 2008.

Subsequently, WAS made some revisions to the Valencia Declaration and proposed a WAS Declaration of Sexual Rights which was approved by the General Assembly at the 14th World Congress of Sexology (Hong Kong, 1999). The WAS adopted the [[Declaration of Sexual Rights]], which originally included 11 sexual rights. It was heavily revised and expanded in March 2014 by the WAS Advisory Council to include 16 sexual rights:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsexology.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/declaration_of_sexual_rights_sep03_2014.pdf |title=Declaration of sexual rights' |publisher=Worldsexology.org |date=2014-03-01 |access-date=2017-11-28 |archive-date=2018-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329102102/http://www.worldsexology.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/declaration_of_sexual_rights_sep03_2014.pdf |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

# The right to equality and non-discrimination # The right to life, liberty and security of the person # The right to autonomy and bodily integrity # The right to be free from torture and cruel, [[inhuman, or degrading treatment]] or punishment # The right to be free from all forms of violence and coercion # The right to privacy # The right to the highest attainable standard of health, including sexual health; with the possibility of pleasurable, satisfying, and safe sexual experiences # The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its application # The right to information # The right to education and the right to comprehensive sexuality education # The right to enter, form, and dissolve marriage and similar types of relationships based on equality and full and free consent # The right to decide whether to have children, the number and spacing of children, and to have the information and the means to do so # The right to the freedom of thought, opinion, and expression # The right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly # The right to participation in public and political life # The right to access to justice, remedies, and redress

This Declaration influenced [[The Yogyakarta Principles]] (which were launched as a set of international principles relating to sexual orientation and gender identity on 26 March 2007), especially on the idea of each person's [[integrity]], and right to sexual and [[reproductive health]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://yogyakartaprinciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/A5_yogyakartaWEB-2.pdf | title = The Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | work = Yogyakartaprinciples.org | date = 10 November 2017 }}</ref>

In 2015, the U.S. government said it would begin using the term "sexual rights" in discussions of human rights and global development.<ref>{{cite web|last=Anna|first=Cara|date=2015-09-18|title=US government says it will now use the term 'sexual rights'|url=https://apnews.com/article/d8e3fcb47dda45329a7ee145459166b8|access-date=2021-07-25|website=AP}}</ref>

On 12 July 2024, the first UN resolution that included sexual rights was adopted at the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council(HRC). The HRC resolution “Human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS," calls for member states to develop "sexual and reproductive health services, as well as education programmes on sexual and reproductive health and rights". This is in contrast to previous documents and resolutions by the UN that exclude language around sexual rights.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ippf.org/media-center/landmark-decision-un-human-rights-council-adopts-first-ever-resolution-reference | title = Landmark Decision: UN Human Rights Council Adopts First-Ever Resolution with Reference to Sexual Rights| work = IPPF | date = 12 July 2024 }}</ref>

Sexual rights are also often discussed in the context of armed conflict. Amongst other global entities, the [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]] has various attempts to address the issue of gendered issues in conflict and post-conflict situations, including [[sexual violence]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), S/RES/1325 (2000) {{!}} She Stands For Peace |url=https://www.un.org/shestandsforpeace/content/united-nations-security-council-resolution-1325-2000-sres1325-2000 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.un.org}}</ref>

[[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325|United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325]], passed in 2000, marked a significant step in recognizing the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and the need for their inclusion in peace processes. While not limited to sexual violence, Resolution 1325 calls for systemic change, [[gender mainstreaming]], and women’s involvement in preventing and prosecuting such crimes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landmark resolution on Women, Peace and Security (Security Council resolution 1325) |url=https://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/wps/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.un.org}}</ref>

It laid the foundation for more targeted resolutions like [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820|UNSCR 1820]] (2008), which explicitly classified sexual violence in conflict not only as a human rights violence, but also as a threat to international peace and security, urging stronger preventive and responsive measures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 (2008), S/RES/1820(2008) {{!}} She Stands For Peace |url=https://www.un.org/shestandsforpeace/content/united-nations-security-council-resolution-1820-2008-sres18202008 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.un.org}}</ref>

This effort continued with [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1888|UNSCR 1888]] (2009), which criticized the lack of enforcement of prior resolutions and called for concrete action, including the suggestion of a Special Representative that would lead efforts against sexual violence in conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Nations Security Council Resolution 1888 (2009), S/RES/1888(2009) {{!}} She Stands For Peace |url=https://www.un.org/shestandsforpeace/content/united-nations-security-council-resolution-1888-2009-sres18882009 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.un.org}}</ref> Together, these resolutions frame sexual violence not only as a humanitarian issue but as a systemic and security concern requiring urgent, institutional attention and action.

==Reproductive health== {{Main|Reproductive health}} Within the framework of the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) definition of [[health]] as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, '''reproductive health''', or '''sexual health'''/'''hygiene''', addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/topics/reproductive_health/en/|title=WHO: Reproductive health|access-date=2008-08-19}}</ref> Reproductive health, therefore, implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and [[Safer sex|safer sex life]] and that they have the capability to reproduce and the [[Family planning|freedom to decide]] if, when and how often to do so. One interpretation of this implies that men and women ought to be [[sex education|informed]] of and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of [[birth control]]; also access to appropriate [[reproductive medicine|health care services]] of [[sexual medicine|sexual]], [[reproductive medicine]] and implementation of health education programs to stress the importance of [[maternal health|women to go safely]] through [[pregnancy]] and [[childbirth]] could provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant. The health of a mother postpartum is also paramount,<ref>{{Citation |last1=Lopez-Gonzalez |first1=Diorella M. |title=Postpartum Care of the New Mother |date=2025 |work=StatPearls |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565875/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |place=Treasure Island (FL) |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |pmid=33351433 |last2=Kopparapu |first2=Anil K.}}</ref> and access to safer abortions can be very important. In a BMC Women's Health study<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Latt |first1=Su Mon |last2=Milner |first2=Allison |last3=Kavanagh |first3=Anne |date=2019-01-05 |title=Abortion laws reform may reduce maternal mortality: an ecological study in 162 countries |journal=BMC Women's Health |volume=19 |issue=1 |article-number=1 |doi=10.1186/s12905-018-0705-y |doi-access=free |pmid=30611257 |pmc=6321671 |issn=1472-6874}}</ref> done across 162 countries in 2019, those countries with access to legal and safer abortions experienced, on average, 45 fewer maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. On the other hand, individuals do face inequalities in reproductive health services. Inequalities vary based on socioeconomic status, education level, age, ethnicity, religion, and resources available in their environment. It is possible for example, that low income individuals lack the resources for appropriate health services and the knowledge to know what is appropriate for maintaining reproductive health.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hall KS, Moreau C, Trussell J | title = Determinants of and disparities in reproductive health service use among adolescent and young adult women in the United States, 2002-2008 | journal = American Journal of Public Health | volume = 102 | issue = 2 | pages = 359–67 | date = February 2012 | pmid = 22390451 | pmc = 3483992 | doi = 10.2105/ajph.2011.300380 }}</ref>

==Reproductive rights== {{Main|Reproductive rights}} '''Reproductive rights''' are [[legal right]]s and freedoms relating to [[human reproduction|reproduction]] and [[reproductive health]].<ref name="Cook_1996">{{cite journal | last1 = Cook | first1 = Rebecca J. | last2 = Fathalla | first2 = Mahmoud F. | name-list-style = vanc |title=Advancing Reproductive Rights Beyond Cairo and Beijing|journal=International Family Planning Perspectives | date = September 1996 | volume = 22 | issue = 3 | pages = 115 | doi = 10.2307/2950752 | jstor = 2950752 | s2cid = 147688303 }}</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] defines reproductive rights as follows:

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]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://who.int/reproductive-health/gender/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021221211348/http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/gender/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 21, 2002|title=Sexual and reproductive health | publisher = World Health Organization }}</ref>

The area of sexual and reproductive rights is influenced by contextual cultural and social norms, socioeconomic factors and existing laws and regulations. The social-structural climate may affect both the access to and quality of sexual and reproductive health care and interventions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/258738/9789241512886-eng.pdf|title=Sexual health and its linkages to reproductive health: an operational approach|year=2017|location=WHO|access-date=2019-02-25}}</ref>

== Goals and objectives == Despite frequent changes to frameworks, overall goals for SRHR remain little changed. As first stipulated at the ICPD, universal reproductive health care remains the ultimate objective, and with each new framework, targets are developed to progress towards this.<ref name="Tangcharoensathien_2015" /> In the original ICPD Program of Action, the primary call was for universal access to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, family planning and sexual health.<ref name="Fincher_1994" /> Over time, these have expanded to include the right to access education regarding sexual and reproductive health, an end to [[female genital mutilation]], and increased women's empowerment in social, political, and cultural spheres.<ref name="Glasier_2006" /><ref name="Fincher_1994" />

Special goals and targets were also created to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health needs. Adolescents are often the most vulnerable to risks associated with sexual activity, including HIV, due to personal and social issues such as feelings of isolation, child marriage, and stigmatization.<ref name="Hindin_2009">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hindin MJ, Fatusi AO | title = Adolescent sexual and reproductive health in developing countries: an overview of trends and interventions | journal = International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health | volume = 35 | issue = 2 | pages = 58–62 | date = June 2009 | pmid = 19620089 | doi = 10.1363/3505809| jstor = 40233805 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Governments realized the importance of investing in the health of adolescents as a means of establishing future well-being for their societies.<ref name="Chandra-Mouli_2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Chandra-Mouli V, Svanemyr J, Amin A, Fogstad H, Say L, Girard F, Temmerman M | title = Twenty years after International Conference on Population and Development: where are we with adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights? | language = English | journal = The Journal of Adolescent Health | volume = 56 | issue = 1 Suppl | pages = S1-6 | date = January 2015 | pmid = 25528975 | doi = 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.09.015 | doi-access = free | hdl = 1854/LU-7021625 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> As a result, the [[Commission on Population and Development]] developed a series of fundamental rights for adolescents including the right to comprehensive sex education, the right to decide all matters related to their sexuality, and access to sexual and reproductive health services without discrimination (including safe abortions wherever legal).<ref name="Chandra-Mouli_2015" />

== See also == * [[Abortion-rights movements]] * [[Disability and sexuality]] * [[Disability and women's health]] * [[Freedom of choice]] * [[LGBT rights by country or territory]] * [[Global Information Society Watch]] * [[Sex workers' rights]] * [[Sex Workers' Rights Movement]]

== References == {{Reflist|32em}}

[[Category:Sex and the law]] [[Category:Reproductive rights]] [[Category:Right to health]]