It sets the stage for health beyond the reproductive years for both men and women. When we take stock of progress since 1994, there are positive changes such as the paradigm shift from population control to reproductive health and rights. There are negative trends such as a failing will to implement the Plan of Action and, not least, the tragic lack of resources. And there are still needs crying out for urgent attention such as the challenge of adolescent sexuality and the tragedy of maternal mortality. Failure to address people's reproductive health needs is a matter of human rights and social justice.
People have a right to make free and informed decisions about their reproductive lives.
They have a right to information and care that will enable them to protect their health and that of their loved ones. They have a right to benefit from scientific progress in health care. We must never forget the right to equality and nondiscrimination on grounds such as sex, marital status, race, age and class. People have a right to privacy and to freedom from sexual violence and coercion. Defining reproductive ill-health as not only a health issue but as a matter of social justice provides a legal and political basis for governments to act.