What are reproductive rights?

Understanding our reproductive rights begins with an understanding of the concept of reproductive health. Reproductive health is defined as the state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes.

On the other hand, the goal of women's reproductive health is for women to lead productive, satisfying and fulfilling lives on the basis of equality and freedom from gender and social discrimination.

The fundamental principle then is that the human right to reproductive health is as basic as the human right to life, security and to liberty. In other words, reproductive rights are rights as equally inherent and inalienable as all other recognized human rights.

The following are our reproductive rights.

1. The right to life -- this means among other things that no woman's life should be put at risk by reason of pregnancy.

2. The right to liberty and security of the person -- this recognizes that no person should be subject to genital mutilations, forced pregnancy sterilization or abortion.

3. Right to equality and to be free from all forms of discrimination because of one's sexuality and reproductive life choices.

4. Right to privacy -- meaning that all sexual and reproductive health care services should be confidential and that, all women have the right to autonomous reproductive choices.

5. Right to freedom of thought -- this includes freedom from the restrictive interpretation of religious texts, beliefs, principles and customs as tools to curtail freedom of thought on sexual and reproductive health care and other, issues.

6. Right to information and education as it relates to sexual and reproductive health for all, including access to information on the benefits, risks and effectiveness of all methods of fertility regulation in order that all decisions taken are made on the basis of full, free and informed consent.

7. Right to choose whether or not to marry and to found a family -- this includes the rights of persons to protection against a requirement to marry without his/her consent and the right to access reproductive health care services.

8. Right to decide whether or when to have children -- this includes the right of persons to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have access to related information and education.

9. Right to health care and health protection -- this includes the right of health care clients to the highest possible quality of health care, and the right to be free from harmful traditional practices.

10. The right to the benefit of scientific progress -- this includes the right of clients to avail of sexual and reproductive health-services and new reproductive health technologies that are safe, effective and acceptable.

11. Right to freedom of assembly and political, participation -- this includes the right of all persons to seek to influence communities and governments to prioritize sexual and reproductive health and rights.

12. Right to be free from torture and ill-treatment -- this includes the rights of all women, men and young people to protection from violence, exploitation and abuse.

13. The right to development -- this includes the right of all individuals to access development opportunities & benefits, especially in decision-making processes that affect her/his life.