Women's rights to reproductive and sexual health in a global context

Abstract

The worldwide burden of reproductive and sexual ill-health falls disproportionately on women belonging to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Women's rights to reproductive and sexual health, as protected under national constitutions as well as regional and international human rights treaties, require that health systems account for the distinctive needs and circumstances both of and among women. The purpose of this article is to investigate what we can do as advocates to ensure that the reproductive and sexual health rights of all women are respected, protected, and enforced, both internationally and in Canada.