Reproductive right

A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of

disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions

and processes. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a

satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom

to decide if, when and how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition are the rights of men

and women to be informed and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable

methods of family planning of their choice, as well as other methods of their choice for

regulation of fertility which are not against the law, and the right of access to appropriate

healthcare services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth

and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant. (UN Programme of

Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development,Cairo, 5-13

Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and
reproductive health.[12] 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.[13]

Official Definitions of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Sexuality
A central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender
identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.
Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs,
attitudes, values, behaviors, roles and relationships. While sexuality can include all of
these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is
influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political,
cultural, ethical, legal, historical and religious and spiritual factors (World Health
Organization, Draft Working Definition, October 2002).

Sexual rights
Embrace human rights that are already recognized in national laws, international
human rights documents and other international agreements. These include the right
of all persons, free of coercion, discrimination and violence, to:

• receive the highest attainable standard of health in relation to sexuality, including

access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services
• seek and impart information in relation to sexuality
• receive sexuality education
• have respect for bodily integrity
• have a free choice of partner
• decide to be sexually active or not
• have consensual sexual relations
• have consensual marriage
• decide whether or not and when to have children
• pursue a satisfying, safe and pleasurable sexual life

The responsible exercise of human rights requires that all persons respect the rights of
others (World Health Organization, Draft Working Definition, October 2002).

Sexual health
A state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality: not
merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health 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. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the
sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled (World Health
Organization, Draft Working Definition, October 2002).

Reproductive rights
Embrace certain human rights that are already recognized in national laws,
international human rights documents and other consensus documents. These rights
rest on the recognition of the basic rights for 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 the highest attainable standard of
sexual and reproductive health. They also include the right of all to make decisions
concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence, as expressed in
human rights documents (UN Programme of Action adopted at the International
Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994, Para 7.3).

Reproductive health
A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence
of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its
functions and processes. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to
have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and
the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition
are the rights of men and women to be informed and to have access to safe, effective,
affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice, as well as other
methods of their choice for regulation of fertility which are not against the law, and
the right of access to appropriate healthcare services that will enable women to go
safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of
having a healthy infant. (UN Programme of Action adopted at the International
Conference on Population and Development,Cairo, 5-13 September 1994, Para 7.2a).

The human rights of women include their right to have control over and decide freely and

responsibly on matters related to their sexuality, including sexual and reproductive health,

free of coercion, discrimination and violence. Equal relationships between women and men

in matters of sexual relations and reproduction, including full respect for the integrity of the

person, require mutual respect, consent and shared responsibility for sexual behavior and its

consequences [para. 96].[1]