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Short Summary
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Sexual and reproductive health is a human right, which is essential to human development and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Despite this, 120 million couples do not have access to the family planning services and contraception they need; 529,000 women die every year from complications of pregnancy and childbirth; and 38 million people are living with HIV. This paper reviews the UK Department for International Development's (DFID) position on SRHR and reaffirms its commitment to realising the goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). New challenges are highlighted, including the HIV/AIDS pandemic, threats to international consensus, and weak or failing health systems, alongside a shortage of skilled health workers. The effective integration of sexual and reproductive health services (including those for HIV/AIDS) is thus essential to improve maternal and newborn health, deliver family planning choices, eliminate unsafe abortion and reduce sexually transmitted infections. Four areas of action are identified: advocacy and partnership; strengthening sexual and reproductive health services; addressing social, cultural and economic barriers to access; and the generation of evidence based research. The report concludes by advocating a rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health, to build momentum in policymaking, backed up by legal and political frameworks.
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