As we agreed in Cairo, we need to ensure universal access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, provide full information, ensure free and informed choices, and treat all clients with respect and dignity. We must ensure that essential obstetric services, including emergency obstetric care, are accessible to women everywhere. We need to ensure a range of safe and effective family planning methods are available, including emergency contraception, defined by the World Health Organization as a safe and effective method to prevent pregnancy. Attention must also be given to men's reproductive health needs, while supporting them in taking responsibility for their own behavior in matters related to sexuality and reproduction. We must find ways to recognize the millions of men around the world who do embrace these responsibilities and who support women's reproductive health and rights.
Unsafe abortion remains a major public health concern in many countries.
We must do everything possible to implement fully the recommendations of paragraph 8.25 of the Program of Action. The first step is strengthening voluntary family planning, counselling and services, thereby reducing the number of unintended pregnancies. We must also ensure that health systems can safely and effectively manage the complications of unsafe abortion. Where it is legal, abortion must be safe and accessible. And certainly, no woman who has resorted to abortion should suffer the trauma of criminal penalties or other punishment.