Sexual and Reproductive Rights & Health

• Sexual and reproductive rights came about because of investigations into maternal/child deaths.
• Reproductive health and sexual health are to be governed by legal regulations.

Presentation Plan

• Includes important international documents on reproductive and sexual health rights.
• Addresses the International Federation of Family Planning's Declaration of Reproductive Rights and Sexual Rights.
• Covers legal regulations across reproductive and sexual health.

Reproductive Health

• It is the absence of disease and disability, combined with physical, mental, and social well-being.
• It focuses on people having a satisfying and safe sex life, the ability to reproduce, and freedom when making decisions regarding reproduction. These decisions must not be made when exposed to violence and discrimination.

Reproductive Rights

• The purpose of reproductive health services are to provide care and counseling, especially with sexually transmitted diseases
• The intent is to enrich life and personal relationships.

Sexual and Reproductive Rights Definition

• Individuals and couples should be able to decide on the number and spacing of their children.
• Individuals and couples must bring children into thr world with free will and must have the necessary information to make decisions.
• Individuals and couples must bot be exposed to pressure, violence, and discrimination while accessing health services for reproductive matters.

The Development of Sexual and Reproductive Rights

• Linked to the development of human rights
• Also had strong links with the development of women's rights

Important International Documents

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CEDAW (1979)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
• Declaration of the 4th World Conference on Human Rights (1993)
• International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Final Declaration (Cairo 1994)
• 4th World Conference on Women (Beijing +5) (1995)
• Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) (2011)
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2015)

Declaration of Human Rights (April 6, 1949)

• Every person of marriageable age has the right to marry and start a family, regardless of race, citizenship, or religion.
• Marriage contracts can only be made with the free and full consent of the prospective spouses.
• The family is the natural and fundamental element of society with the right to protection by society and the State.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

• This says means any distinction, exclusion, or restriction based on sex which has the purpose or effect of denying or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women.
• Women must have the same right to decide freely and reasonably on the number and timing of children.
• Women must have the necessary information, education, and means to enable them to exercise this right.
• States Parties shall prohibit any form of sale of women and exploitation of women in prostitution.
• Women must benefit from adequate health services, including information, counseling and services in family planning.

Child Rights Convention (1989)

• States Parties recognize the right of the child to enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health.
• States Parties shall endeavor to ensure that no child is denied the right to such medical care.
• States Parties shall pursue the full implementation of this right and pursue reducing infant and child mortality rates.
• All children must be provided with necessary medical assistance and care, with emphasis on the development of primary health care.
• Disease and malnutrition must be combatted through the use of readily available techniques and the provision of nutritious food and clean drinking water. States Parties must provide prenatal and postnatal care to mothers
• All segments of society, especially parents and children, must have the benents of breastfeeding, public and environmental health and accident prevention information
• Preventive health care, parental guidance, family planning education, and services must be developed
• States Parties must protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
• States Parties must prevent the abduction, sale or prostitution of children, for whatever reason and in whatever form.

Declaration of the World Conference on Human Rights (1993)

• Guaranteed to work
• Right to fair working conditions
• Right to join and establish a union
• The right to social security and social insurance
• Protection of the family and assistance to the family
• Right to adequate living standards
• Right to physical and mental health
• Right to Education
• The right to benefit from cultural and scientific developments.

United Nations International Conference on Population and Development

• Explicitly acknowledges and affirms women's rights to control all aspects of their health.
• This includes fertility.

4th World Women's Conference (Beijing) (1995)

• Necessary measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, girls and any obstacles to gender equality and the advancement and empowerment of women.

Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) (2011)

• Pursuant to article 38, on female circumcision, States parties shall take the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that intentional acts of mutilation, infibulation or disabling of all or part of women are punished.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2015)

• Aims for stopping trafficking and sexual exploitation of all women and girls in public and private areas.
• Aspires to eradicate all forms of violence including

International Planned Parenthood Federation - Declaration on Reproductive and Sexual Rights

• Every human being has the right to life and no one's life should be endangered because of pregnancy, childbirth or gender.
• "Safe Motherhood" practices should be spread and policies should reduce maternal and infant mortality
• Women's health and family planning information and services should be available free of charge.

The Right to Freedom in Reproduction and Sexual Life

• The freedom and security of the individual includes control over reproductive and sexual life.
• There must be protection of all children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
• The individual has the right not to undergo medical intervention regarding their reproductive and sexual health with full, free and informed consent.

Situations That Violate Sexual and Reproductive Rights

• Sexual abuse
• Virginity control
• Forced pregnancy or continuation of this pregnancy
• Forced sterilization
• Forced abortion
• Laws or practices that require consent for the use of family planning methods or voluntary abortion
• Female genital mutilation (common in Asian and African countries)
• Imposing prison sentences on women for terminating their pregnancies.

The Right to Equality in Reproductive and Sexual Life

• All human beings are born free and equal.
• Discrimination is not allowed on the basis of race, ethnicity, colour, poverty, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family position, physical or mental disability, age, language, religion, political opinion, social origin, personal characteristic, or birth status.
• Laws prohibiting discrimination against any minority group and their effective implementation must be upheld
• There must be protection from unfair, traditional and other practices that humiliate women
• Gender-sensitive human rights should be ensured

The Right to Privacy in Reproduction and Sexual Life

• Is the ability to make decisions about reproductive and sexual life and ensure privacy is respected
• This right covers service instructions and guides that ensure that personal information is confidential
• This right also covers legal frameworks that recognize the women's right to choose reproduction and sexuality autonomously, including safe service of voluntary abortion.
• This covers reproductive and sexual health information and services that respect the privacy rights of young people.

The Right to Freedom of Thought in Reproductive and Sexual Life

• All individuals have the right to reproductive and sexual health and rights, as well as the right to receive information through any media and to decide on the dissemination of this information.
• The individual must be able to do the following
• Interpretation of religious texts, beliefs, philosophies and traditions that respect freedom of thought and speech regarding reproductive rights
• Medical personnel have the right to conscientious objection in family planning and voluntary abortion services but must direct the patient to someone who can provide care

The Right to Information and Education in Reproductive and Sexual Life

• The right to information and education in reproductive and sexual life includes the right to free access to information and education on this subject.
• This involves giving young people access to information and education on reproductive and sexual health and rights.
• There must be information and training programs on reproductive rights presented in a gender-sensitive, non-stereotyped, objective, critical and pluralistic manner.
• Programs should allow users to make all decisions on the basis of full, free and informed consent

The Right to Freedom of Assembly and Participation in Reproductive and Sexual Life

• Includes the right to establish and participate in a non-governmental organization (NGO) to promote reproductive and sexual health and rights.
• Active self-defense in the field of reproductive and sexual health and rights must be possible.
• There must be active NGO advocacy in the field of reproductive and sexual health and rights.

The Right to Decide Whether or When to Have Children

• All people have the right to freely and responsibly decide on the number and timing of their children.
• This includes the right to decide whether or not to have children and the right to access family planning methods to exercise this right.

Other Freedoms

• This incorporates reproductive health, safe motherhood, safe voluntary abortion services
• Care must be accessible, affordable, and acceptable, with useful training and programs
• Service deliveries must be safe, effective, and acceptable. This involves a range of services to regulate fertility
• All people must be given the freedom to choose and use a safe and acceptable method of protection against unplanned pregnancies.

The Right to Receive Health Care and Health Protection in Reproductive and Sexual Life

• Everyone has the right to the highest attainable level of physical and mental health.
• Within framework, the right includes programs for ensuring quality health care
• Access to methods of family planning including voluntary abortion
• Diagnosis and treatment to sexually transmitted diseases
• Infertility and pregnancy counseling that considers the person's needs
• User friendly and respectful health services
• Availability of prenatal and natal care

The Right to Benefit From Scientific Developments in Reproductive and Sexual Life

• All people have the right to enjoy the current scientific benefits in this area.
• Provides access to effective and beneficial reproductive technology
• Offers information of harmful side effects
• Provides gender sensitive medical approach

The Right to Choose About Marriage and Family Formation

• All people can choose if they want start or form any family
• In order to do so there should be family planning and prevention
• Discriminatory access to health problems should be avoided

The Right to be Free From Torture and Ill-treatment in Reproduction and Sexual Life

• Everybody is entitled to their own freedom when it comes medical care
• Receiving the information and receiving treatment must align

Key Principles

• Prevention is essential to avoid child marriage
• Important that women are well informed in healthcare
• Interdisciplinary roles and gender equality must be well defined

Turkish Legal Regulations and Laws

• Adoption into the Beijing Action Platform was made in 1995 but has continued to change
• Some issues require a special civil court

Turkish Criminal Laws

• Those who go to extremes are not held without the full penalty
• Sexual assault and criminal harassment are still a factor
• Examination of genitals require special permission