Sexual and reproductive health and rights

This Eldis Health key issues guide reviews current policy issues and cutting-edge debates relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Sexuality has tended to be seen by development agencies as a problem which needs to be controlled rather than as a positive force which can be part of the solution. The guide explores new emerging approaches which recognise SRHR as human rights – an end in themselves. These positive approaches recognise that the realisation of sexual rights, including rights to pleasure and fulfilment, underpin all the major health and development goals.

Issues covered include:

• What is meant by SRHR?
• Why SRHR is crucial for meeting international development targets
• Obstacles to realising SRHR: the rise of conservatism
• Talking about pleasure in relation to SRHR
• A more positive approach: linking sexuality, health and human rights
• Summaries of key readings with links to further resources.

Summary written in collaboration with BRIDGE and Siyanda