THEME 3: - SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS
-  CoPGS2019 SESSIONS  -

Sexual and Reproductive health rights are indivisible aspects of human rights, and deeply linked with the fulfilment of all other civil, political, economic, and social rights.  Global and national development agendas have over the past two decades, including as part of the Millennium Development Goals and thereafter the Sustainable Development Goals, included some focus on reproductive health concerns – particularly with regard to maternal health and family planning, sexual rights remain largely invisible.  However, the goals and agendas, even in the context of reproductive health rights have been limited, fragmented, and overtly focused on narrow targets, with grave implications for women’s autonomy, their access to determinants of reproductive health rights, access to quality, affordable healthcare free from coercion. 

Social accountability for accountability towards sexual and reproductive health rights is gaining momentum, however the predominant approach has been to view this as an effectiveness mechanism, producing a beneficial health effect, rather than the inherently political process that negotiating reproductive rights is. The accountability deficit, as well as the nature of rights violations that people face in the arena of sexual and reproductive health rights are challenged by marginalisation and exclusion on the basis of various axes of inequality including gender, caste, disability, and sexuality.  Even as these challenges abound, communities, people’s organisations and social movements have been addressing a range of issues related to sexual and reproductive rights, from the right to self-determination, work, access to services, dignified and respectful services and quality of care.  This theme of the symposium will showcase community-led social accountability practices that negotiate the politics of sexual and reproductive health rights and focus on enhancing the autonomy and capabilities of citizens.