Sexual and reproductive health rights: concepts and definitions.

• Position: ADVOCACY KIT: SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS

Reproductive Health

According to a definition agreed to at the International conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo, Egypt, in 1994: "Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes." Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition is the right of men and women to be informed of and to have access to safe, effective, affordable, and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice and the right of access to appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant. In line with the above definition, "reproductive health care is defined as the constellation of methods, techniques, and services that contribute to reproductive health and well-being through preventing and solving reproductive health problems".

Sex

Sex can mean the biological characteristics (anatomical, physiological, and genetic) that make us male or female. Sex can also mean sexual activity, including sexual intercourse.

Sexuality

Sexuality is the way in which an individual experiences being male or female. This includes physical and biological aspects of one's life such as menstruating, having wet dreams, being pregnant, or having sexual intercourse; as well as emotional aspects such as being attracted to another person, including sexual orientation; and social aspects such as behaving in ways as expected by one's community, based on whether one is male or female; including gender roles.

Sexuality:

* involves the mind and the body;

* is shaped by our values, attitudes, physical appearance, beliefs, emotions, personality, likes and dislikes, and ways in which we have been socialized;

* is influenced by social norms, culture, and religion;

* involves giving and receiving sexual pleasure, as well as enabling reproduction;

* spans our lifetimes.

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexuality is an erotic or romantic attraction for people of the opposite sex. Homosexuality is an erotic or romantic attraction for people of the same sex. Bisexuality is an erotic or romantic attraction for people of...