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Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Health Fact Sheet released by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration February 5, 1999.

Background

The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) made reproductive health and reproductive rights priority issues in the international arena. In the Program of Action (PoA), nations specifically committed themselves to support reproductive rights, attempt to ensure universal access to reproductive health care, and affirm that womenâs empowerment and reproductive health are essential to achieving population stabilization. More than 150 million women still desire, but lack, family planning services. Unsafe abortion accounts for 13% of maternal mortality, underscoring the need for post-abortion care and family planning services to prevent abortion.

Five years of implementation of the PoA has resulted in the U.S. and many other countries introducing more integrated approaches to family planning and reproductive health services; new adolescent initiatives designed to promote innovative programs; post-abortion care initiatives; and new maternal health strategies designed to promote a community based approach to reducing maternal mortality.

Cooperation between governments, non-governmental organizations and the commercial sector will help to better serve all populations. Such alliances can contribute to the promotion of reproductive health, beyond the provision of services themselves.

U.S. Position

Human rights must be respected to achieve progress with regard to womenâs health care. Elimination of coercion, discrimination, and violence in health services must have the highest priority.

One-fourth of the adult population in some countries is threatened by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a problem that must be an international priority. Special attention should be given to overcoming the denial and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, reactions which serve as obstacles to progress in addressing this escalating pandemic.
A functioning primary health-care system is essential in the pursuit of improved reproductive health services. Attempts at health-care reform must be undertaken with great care so that they do not undermine reproductive health objectives.
The special reproductive health needs of adolescents are also a concern, given the large cohort in this age group currently entering the childbearing years. As a group, they are at a high risk for unintended pregnancy and STDâs, including HIV/AIDS.
Access to comprehensive, high-quality reproductive health care services, including family planning on a voluntary basis, is a basic right.
The importance of the male role in reproductive health care and rights must be promoted.

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