Why Reproductive rights are important women’s and human rights

Reproductive rights are integral to women’s rights, a fact that is upheld by international agreements and reflected in law in different parts of the world, the UN Women said in a statement on new restrictions to reproductive rights.

The statement was issued in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision to overturn the Roe v Wade case, which granted women in the US the right to terminate a pregnancy.

To be able to exercise their human rights and make essential decisions, women need to be able to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to information, education and services, the statement reads.

As the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, UN Women said that when safe and legal access to abortion is restricted women are forced to resort to less safe methods, too often with damaging or disastrous results – especially for women who are affected by poverty or marginalization, including minority women. 

“The ability of women to control what happens to their own bodies is also associated with the roles women are able to play in society, whether as a member of the family, the workforce, or government,” says the UN body adding:

“UN Women remains steadfast in our determination to ensure that the rights of women and girls are fully observed and enjoyed worldwide, and we look forward to continued evidence-based engagement with our partners everywhere in support of rapid progress towards universal enjoyment of universal rights.”