Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights are crucial for women’s and girls’ right to self-determination. Each individual has the right to have full control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters affecting their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, free from discrimination, coercion and violence, to lead healthy lives and to participate in the economy and in social and political life. Access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, education, including comprehensive sexuality education, and health-care services is needed.

Harmful gender norms and stereotypes prevent access to family planning, either through legal barriers or community pressure, harassment and abuse, while a backlash against gender equality is threatening hard-won progress and existing laws.

The EU continues to promote access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, education, including comprehensive sexuality education, and health-care services.

The EU remains committed to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the outcomes of their review conferences.