Overview
GAP III thematic area of engagement: Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights
This section presents the GAP III objectives and related indicators for GAP III thematic area Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are crucial for women’s and girls’ right to self-determination. Each individual has the right to have full control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters affecting their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, free from discrimination, coercion and violence, to lead healthy lives, and to participate in the economy and in social and political life. Access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, education, including comprehensive sexuality education, and health-care services is needed.
Source: UNFPA, World Health Organization, UNICEF, World Bank Group, the United Nations Population Division, “Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000-2017”
Harmful gender norms and stereotypes prevent access to family planning, either through legal barriers or community pressure, harassment and abuse, while a backlash against gender equality is threatening hard-won progress and existing laws.
The Gender Action Plan III promotes EU actions that contribute to:
- An enabling legal, political and societal environment that protects the sexual and
- reproductive health and rights of women and girls and increase access to sexual and reproductive health services and information, including HIV & AIDS prevention and treatment;
- The elimination of harmful practices such as FGM, CEFM and gender-biased sex selection, by supporting country, regional and global initiatives;
- Increasing services in humanitarian settings, including obstetric care, the provision of the minimum initial service package, HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive, maternal and new-borns health, family planning, addressing specific nutrition needs and vulnerabilities.