The State of World Population 1997: the Right to Choose: Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health

Gaps and failures in reproductive health care, combined with widespread discrimination and violence against women, amount to a massive violation of human rights. Denial of sexual and reproductive rights–including free choice with regard to pregnancy and childbearing–causes millions of deaths every year, and much more illness and disability. Most of those affected are women, the vast majority in developing countries. These human rights violations, and efforts to end them, are the focus of The State of World Population 1997 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The report, titled “The Right to Choose: Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health”, summarizes the international understandings that define sexual and reproductive rights, presents evidence on progress and problems in attaining and protecting those rights, and examines the effects of denying them to millions of women and men. To enable individuals to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, the report stresses the need for gender equality and increased investment in education and primary health care. Specific recommendations focus on improving the availability and quality of information and services that meet a broad range of sexual and reproductive health needs.