Realising Reproductive Rights

Improving Sexual Health Services in Disadvantaged Areas:
A Rights Based Approach

Seminar Report - 31 May 2006, Dublin.

Local development plans for disadvantaged areas emphasise the need for improved access to primary healthcare. These plans also place particular emphasis on the need for improved sexual and reproductive health information and services.

A strong link exists between disadvantage and poor sexual health. For example cervical cancer, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infection rates are all higher in disadvantaged areas.

In the 1990’s international reproductive rights treaties led to the widespread recognition of the legal foundations for sexual and reproductive health rights. Under these treaties the right to access family planning services and protection against Sexually Transmitted Infections was established.

Unfortunately these rights do not come about automatically. In disadvantaged areas, the cost of services, a lack of information, structural barriers and legal barriers all mitigate against accessing these rights.

Objectives and Purpose
The seminar sought to analyse the sexual reproductive health services in disadvantaged areas in the context of the following international treaties:

• The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)
• The Beijing Platform for Action
• The Children’s Rights Convention
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

This was done with a view to:

• Furthering the knowledge and understanding of sexual and reproductive health rights.
• Equipping participants to advocate for a rights based approach in their local area and improve access to necessary services.

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