In commemoration of World Population Day 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other United Nations (UN) agencies have called on governments, donors, civil society organizations and the private sector to prioritize universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and rights.
The WHO made this known in a joint statement published on its website on Thursday.
Global bodies stressed the importance of implementing evidence-based guidance to improve access to affordable, high-quality, rights-based care.
To make services acceptable to all, they said efforts must focus on eliminating stigma and discrimination and challenging harmful social and gender norms.
Reproductive health rights
MyHealth Alberta, a health information website, said sexual and reproductive health encompasses the physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of an individual's sexuality, which is a vital aspect of being human.
She noted that sexuality is a dynamic and multifaceted concept that evolves throughout various stages of life, noting that it encompasses values, relationships, sexual activity, communication, self-image, personality, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.”
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), also known as the Women's Convention, said reproductive rights encompass the freedom to make reproductive decisions without facing discrimination, coercion or violence.
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According to them, this fundamental right is rooted in international human rights norms and standards, guaranteeing that people can exercise their reproductive autonomy with dignity and safety.
Comprehensive sexual education
The organizations called for accelerated access to comprehensive sexuality education and collaborative efforts across education and gender sectors to foster the lasting well-being of girls and women.
She said promoting comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights is a moral and prudent imperative, adding that investing in the reproductive autonomy and capacity of women and girls and expanding access to services is essential for a prosperous world.
Organizations believe that increasing funding from a variety of sources (national, international, public and private) is vital to achieving lasting impact.
Calls for support
The groups said it is crucial to urgently support the growing initiatives of young people, women and communities “as they raise their voices on sexual and reproductive health issues and develop solutions that address their specific needs and adapt to a rapidly changing world, where climate change significantly impacts sexual and reproductive health and rights.”
They added that taking a collaborative, community-driven approach to designing and implementing health interventions could achieve more sustainable results and reach the most marginalized populations.
They also advocated for leveraging technology to expand access to healthcare and responsibly address gender risks and gaps.
The statement further reads in part: “We urge the public and private sectors to collaborate in exploring cutting-edge technologies such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and predictive modeling to bridge geospatial gaps and expand access to essential services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
“At the same time, we call on innovators to address the risks inherent in these new technologies, including gender gaps in access, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and systematic biases embedded in technological design.”
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They also urged governments, communities, civil society and the private sector to join forces to prioritize universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, promoting gender equality and human rights as envisaged in the ICPD programme of action.
“We call for collective innovation and action to ensure everyone’s right to health, dignity and security. As we approach the UN General Assembly Future Summit in September, let us seize this moment to boldly shape a more just, equitable and sustainable world for all,” the statement added.