Critical Issues

Pregnancy Should Not be a Cause of Death

Maternal mortality and unsafe abortion are among the greatest causes of death of women worldwide. Over 500 000 women and girls die every year from pregnancy related causes. This could be avoided by investing more in women and girls' sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). More.

Young People Need the Facts About Sex

More than a half a million healthy young women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth each year. Young women run the greatest risk of dying from an unsafe abortion. Young people are also the group that, to the greatest extent, contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs). More.

Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights

Sexual and reproductive health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in everything concerned with the reproductive system and its functions. This also means that all people have the right to a satisfying and safe sex life free from coercion and discrimination. They have the right to determine if, when and with whom they have sex, if and when they have children and with whom. More.

HIV/AIDS & Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Today, around 33 million people are living with HIV. Young people account for 40% of all new adult (15+) cases and women comprise 50% of people living with HIV. Linking initiatives for sexual and reproductive health and HIV multiplies opportunities for preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections including HIV. More.

Sex & Poverty

Sexual and reproductive health can play a key role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Health problems related to sexuality and reproduction account for a fifth of all the world’s diseases. Increased access to reproductive health services leads to fewer children, which enables families and governments to invest more in each child. More.

Reproductive Health Supplies

Lack of condoms and other contraceptives threaten the international fight against poverty. Generally, it is estimated that as many as a third of all women in developing countries lack access to modern contraceptives despite expressed and manifest need. More.