[afro-nets] New guide to sexual and reproductive health and rights

[Fiona Williams <F.Williams@ids.ac.uk>]

New Eldis Health Key Issues guide to sexual and reproductive 
health and rights
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TIME TO THINK POSITIVE ABOUT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND 
RIGHTS?
 
Development agencies have long addressed issues of sexuality and 
reproduction. However, traditionally, they have dealt with them 
in largely negative ways. Whether through population programmes 
or the use of scare tactics in HIV prevention work, sex and 
sexuality have been regarded as a problem that needs to be con-
trolled - rather than a positive force that can be part of the 
solution.
 
Now, as a result of international agreements and activism from 
non-governmental organisations over the past two decades, new 
approaches are emerging which recognise sexual and reproductive 
health and rights as human rights - an end in themselves - as 
well as being central to health and well-being.
 
These positive approaches recognise that good reproductive 
health, and the realisation of sexual rights, including rights 
to pleasure and fulfilment, are crucial for achieving equity and 
social justice. Indeed, sexual well-being is integral to human 
development, underpinning all the major health and development 
goals.
 
Aimed at policymakers, donors and practitioners working in 
health and beyond, this Eldis Health key issues guide reviews 
current policy issues and explores cutting-edge debates relating 
to sexual and reproductive health and rights. It also highlights 
current and future challenges for attaining greater levels of 
sexual and reproductive well-being, and considers the role of 
innovative technologies and approaches in achieving sexual and 
reproductive health and rights for all.
 
Co-authored by Susie Jolly (BRIDGE gender and development infor-
mation service) and Andrea Cornwall (IDS Fellow in Participation 
Group), it also features summaries of key readings, with links 
to core documents and further resources.
 
Access the guide at: http://www.eldis.org/health/SRHR.htm
 
Issues covered by the guide include:
* What is meant by sexual and reproductive health and rights?
* Why SRHR is crucial for meeting international development targets
* Obstacles to realising SRHR: the rise of conservatism
* Talking about pleasure in relation to SRHR
* A more positive approach: linking sexuality, health and human rights
 
 
Fiona Williams
Health Resource Guide Editor/Information & Communications Co-ordinator
DFID Health Resource Centre
Institute of Development Studies
Direct Dial: +44-1273 877540
mailto:f.williams@ids.ac.uk