Resources

The European Union (EU) has been championing the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), which are recognised as a key priority in the EU’s international development policies and instruments. The EU is also one of the main international donors for SRHR in terms of Official Development Assistance (ODA) – despite currently only dedicating a fraction of its ODA budget (less than 2%) to SRHR. And the role of the European Parliament has been pivotal in ensuring that SRHR are embedded in ambitious EU policy frameworks to promote human development, gender equality, human rights. The Parliament has also continuously defended the Union’s ODA budget from proposed cuts and called for budget to be allocated according to sustainable development priorities, rather than short-term political interests. We count on the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to continue championing SRHR in the new parliamentary term! In our new factsheet we explain why it’s important to support SRHR, what are the remaining challenges and what can MEPs do to champion reproductive freedom, safety and dignity in EU external policies. Discover your superpowers!

The structure of EU institutions in the upcoming legislature will be crucial for the degree of prioritisation given to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). These are our recommendations for the future of European Institutions, from the renewal of the mandate of a European Commissioner dedicated to (Gender) Equality, to the renewal the Union of Equality Agenda and all relevant Strategies, while mainstreaming SRHR in them, - to ensuring sufficient funding for gender equality and SRHR in the EU budget. Read more below.

In 2019-2024, we call on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to ensure that all Europeans can lead free and safe private and family lives, in a society free from sexism and discrimination. This paper lays down the areas where the EU has internal competences and where MEPs have the power to act.   Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have a critical role in promoting SRHR in EU external action and upholding the right of young women and men around the world to lead safe and dignified lives, free from coercion and harm. These are just some of the steps MEPs can take to champion SRHR.

We can't achieve gender equality without having access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).  SRHR underpin the health and well-being of all Europeans, from access to contraceptives and abortion care, sexual health services, relationships and sexuality education, to being protected from violence and coercion, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. However, access to SRHR varies greatly within and between EU Member States, which is particularly harmful to those in the most vulnerable situations. Furthermore, recent years have seen a rise of coercive movements both within and outside of the EU, with gender equality, women’s rights and reproductive freedom increasingly under attack. This paper lays down the steps to be taken to counter future such attempts that seek to restrict reproductive freedom and gender equality.