Issue Paper: Women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe

Commissioner for Human Rights, 4. 12. 2017

The summary of the Issue Paper on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights released by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks:

WOMEN’S SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN EUROPE: WHY WE NEED TO ACT NOW

Women’s rights are human rights. Under international human rights law, women have the right to a safe sexual and reproductive life, free from coercion. In the past decades, considerable progress has been achieved in Europe in that direction. Yet, women continue to face widespread denials and violations of their sexual and reproductive rights. Laws, policies and practices, underpinned by pervasive gender stereotypes and inequality, still curtail and undermine women’s sexual and reproductive health, autonomy, dignity, integrity and decision-making in serious ways. Moreover in recent years, resurgent threats have emerged in this field jeopardising longstanding commitments to gender equality and women’s rights.

ENSURING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS: STATES’ DUTY TO WOMEN

European states have the duty to take effective steps to respect and protect women’s sexual and reproductive rights. This means respecting a range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the rights to life, to health, to be free from torture and ill-treatment, to privacy, equality and non-discrimination. As a result, states have the obligation, under international human rights law, to provide all women with accessible, affordable, good quality sexual and reproductive health care and services. They should eliminate laws, policies and practices that infringe upon these rights, and prevent erosion of existing protections.

WHY IT IS CRUCIAL

Sexual and reproductive rights protect some of the most significant and intimate aspects of our lives. Ensuring these rights for women is a vital component of efforts to achieve gender equality; and it benefits society and humanity at large. Given resurgent trends seeking to roll back protections in this field, a renewed commitment to these rights is essential.

THREATS, OBSTACLES AND DEFICITS

• Some countries have introduced laws, policies and practices that limit women’s autonomy and decision-making in particular through retrogressive restrictions on access to contraception and abortion care.
• Financial, social and practical barriers still endanger women’s ability to enjoy safe sexual and reproductive health, free from coercion;
• There have been resurgent trends in Europe seeking to roll back protections in the field of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights with serious implications for women’s rights;
• Harmful gender stereotypes, social norms and stigma regarding women’s sexuality and reproductive capacities continue to apply to many aspects of women’s lives;

Issue Paper: Women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe

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