Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) encompass all rights related to sexuality and parenthood. When SRHR are realised, people are free and able to decide if, when and with whom to have sex; they have safe, healthy, consensual, pleasurable relationships; they have the means to decide whether and when to become pregnant, continue a pregnancy, become parents, and have the number of children they want; free from discrimination, coercion and violence.
SRHR are human rights, and essential to leading a free, safe and healthy life. But they are far from universally accessible. Throughout the world, and even within Europe, access to abortion and other reproductive rights varies greatly, and is subject to a broad range of restrictions. Access to care is even harder for populations who suffer from systemic and intersecting discrimination and inequalities.
The European Parliament has a longstanding legacy as the EU institutions' strongest defender of SRHR, and it is vital that it continues to uphold and advance them in the new legislative term.
As an MEP, you can take many actions in a wide range of policy areas of EU competences, to advance SRHR in the next five years. Here is a collection of resources to help navigate some of the key topics related to sexual and reproductive safety and dignity.
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European Network
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Advocacy
More information on a world free from gender-based violence.
More information on access to abortion care.
More information on relationship and sexuality education.
More information on building an inclusive feminist Europe.
More information on an intersectional feminist foreign policy.
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Credits
Header illustration: Marianna Tomaselli
A world free from gender-based violence, last photo: IPPF/Brenda Islas/Mexico
Abortion care illustration: Olga Mrozek
Relationship and sexuality education illustration: Jordan Schiffer
Building an inclusive feminist Europe: photo 1: IPPF/Wara Vargas/Bolivia ; illustrations: Nebojša Cvetković
Intersectional feminist foreign policy: photo 1: IPPF/Georgina Goodwin/Burundi ; photo 2: IPPF/Alana Holmberg/Vanuatu