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Background
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Sexual and reproductive health and rights mean unrestricted physical and emotional wellbeing in relation to all aspects of sexuality and human reproduction.
The promotion of this aspect of health and the realisation of pertinent rights are important objectives of German development policy. That is why Germany works in partner countries for comprehensive health care and forward-looking family planning. The commitment of the Federal Republic of Germany to combating gender-based violence – including the still widespread practice of female genital mutilation – and sexually transmissible diseases is also part of this overarching area.
A human right: sexual and reproductive health
A broad concept of sexual and reproductive health emerged at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994. In Cairo, the international community decided in favour of a key change of direction: from a predominantly population policy-driven approach towards one based on the individual.
At the 1994 conference the more than 180 participating states recognised just how much a country’s development depends on sexual and reproductive health – and with it gender equality. Since then, the needs and rights of people have been at the forefront of all development efforts.
Today, the right to the "highest possible level of sexual and reproductive health" identified in Cairo is deemed a human right. That comprises the right to decide whether to procreate and women’s right to make autonomous and responsible decisions in respect of their sexuality – free from discrimination, coercion or violence.
Millennium Development Goals
Many of the goals in the Cairo Programme of Action elaborated at the conference in 1994 were incorporated into the Millennium Declaration in 2000. Four of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are directly connected with sexual and reproductive health:
- MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
- MDG 4: Reduce child mortality
- MDG 5: Improve maternal health
- MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
In addition to MDGs 4, 5 and 6 which aim primarily to improve medical care, the promotion of gender equality (MDG 3) and strengthening the role and rights of women also have a significant influence on sexual and reproductive health. The goal of German development policy is therefore to strengthen women’s and girls’ status in society with its programmes, and to enhance their decision-making powers, including their sexual self-determination.
More information
Information
Publications
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Health and Human Rights
Special 165 new window, PDF 297 KB, accessible 11/2009 | pdf | 297 KB | 15 P. | accessible -
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and Population Dynamics
A BMZ Policy Paper new window, PDF 314 KB, accessible 08/2008 | pdf | 314 KB | 17 P. | accessible - Population dynamics in German development cooperation | Position Papernew window, PDF 889 KB 07/2013 | pdf | 889 KB | 18 P.
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Population dynamics and development cooperation
Leafletnew window, PDF 2 MB, accessible 09/2014 | pdf | 2 MB | 8 P. | accessible -
Sexual minorities and HIV
Leaflet new window, PDF 2.4 MB, accessible 06/2012 | pdf | 2.4 MB | 8 P. | accessible