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. 2023 Jul;162(1):368-374.
doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14878. Epub 2023 May 28.

Human rights approaches to reducing infertility

Payal K Shah  1 , Jaime M Gher  1   2
Affiliations

Human rights approaches to reducing infertility

Payal K Shah et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

In April 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new estimates affirming that one in six individuals experience infertility globally. Yet, many states are unclear on their responsibility to prevent infertility, ensure access to treatment, and to end the harm suffered by individuals who are considered infertile. Responding to this uncertainty, in June 2023, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a new research paper explaining states' legal obligations regarding infertility. Importantly, OHCHR underscores that states must take steps to prevent infertility by addressing its root causes and ensure access to treatment. Further, states must address the negative consequences of infertility, including stigma and violence, as well as the discriminatory stereotypes that lead to certain groups facing disproportionate harm from infertility. This article provides an overview of the OHCHR report and explains what this means for healthcare providers, who have a critical role to play in providing care and advocating for legal and policy reform necessary to prevent, diagnose, and treat infertility.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technologies; discrimination in health care; human rights; infertility; medical ethics; reproductive autonomy.

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References

REFERENCES

    1. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The role of human rights in preventing infertility and redressing infertility-related rights violations and harms. 2023.
    1. World Health Organization. Infertility Prevalence Estimates, 1990-2021. WHO; 2023. Accessed May 2, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978920068315
    1. World Health Organization. Fact sheet. Infertility. 2023. Accessed May 2, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility
    1. Mascarenhas MN, Flaxman SR, Boerma T, Vanderpoel S, Stevens GA. National, regional, and global trends in infertility prevalence since 1990: a systematic analysis of 277 health surveys. PLoS Med. 2012;9:1-12.
    1. UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). General comment no. 22 on the right to sexual and reproductive health (art. 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), E/C.12/GC/22. 2016.

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