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Sexual and reproductive health and rights and disability policy analysis

BTS

Sexual and reproductive health and rights and disability policy analysis

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are integral for all people’s ability to realise their full human rights and health. Sexually transmitted diseases, sexual violence, unintended pregnancies and childbearing can profoundly alter a young person’s life, their health care needs, educational outcomes, economic opportunities and participation in society. Sexual and other forms of intimate partner violence are still deeply impacting the wellbeing of women in all their diversities. Therefore, it is necessary to work towards enabling all people to enjoy their SRHR through access to information, services and justice. Furthermore, laws, policies and strategic plans should guide towards achieving SRHR for all.

The vision to improve all peoples SRHR has been set as a priority internationally, in the eastern and southern African (ESA) region and in South Africa. The sustainable development goals prioritise both health; including sexual and reproductive health (SDG 3), and gender equality (SDG 5) with the elimination of gender-based violence (GBV). The ESA Ministerial Commitment identified the need to empower young persons and to provide access to their SRHR including comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as a priority7.  Furthermore, South Africa lays out its commitment and strategies to improve SRHR in several documents.

View the complete Sexual and reproductive health and rights and disability policy analysis Report

31 March 2021