Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) encompass all of the rights and issues surrounding a person’s sexual and reproductive life. These rights are closely linked with other internationally recognized human rights, such as the right to privacy, the right to education and information, the right to equality and freedom from violence and all forms of discrimination, the right to the highest attainable standard of health etc.
The term SRHR combines four separate but interrelated concepts: Sexual Health (SH), Reproductive Health (RH), Sexual Rights (SR), and Reproductive Rights (RR). Sexual and Reproductive Health cover the right to decide if, when and how often to have children, right to live free from disease, the right to have access to accurate, comprehensive and confidential information etc., while Sexual and Reproductive Rights cover the right to sexual pleasure, the right to sexual expression, the right to sexual privacy, the right to have access to the full range of contraceptives and safe abortion services, the right to choose your partner and much more.
It is important to note that although the term SRHR encompasses many human rights are that are internationally/regionally/nationally recognized and protected (see, for example, the Yogyakarta principles), they are still considered extremely controversial, especially when this term is used in conjunction to young people. Sexual Rights are particularly contentious, as they also recognize and protect sexual and gender diversity, issues which are not accepted in many communities. For this reason, you will often only see a reference to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH and RR).
All young people worldwide should be able to explore, experience and express their sexualities in healthy, pleasurable and safe ways.