OVERVIEW OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
The establishment of a reproductive health system provides not only a solution measure to
the population problem, but also contributes to the improvement of individual health1 and it is
based on the definition of “health”as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its
Constitution.
However, the range of reproductive health is wide and the definition and interpretation of
its concept remain varied.Many people in the world have no chance to enjoy reproductive
health due to various causes. Such causes include insufficient knowledge of human sexuality,
inappropriate or low-quality information and service on reproductive health, the spread of
high-risk sexual behavior, discriminative social customs, negative attitudes toward women and
girls, and the limited empowerment of women and girls in relation to sex and reproduction, etc.
Adolescents are in an especially vulnerable position. This is because there is little information
available on reproductive health and few related services in many of the countries in the world.
While more than 500,000 women die of pregnancy- or delivery-related causes every year in
the world, 99% of them are in developing countries and Morethan 1/5 of the diseases in
women of reproductive age are related to sex and reproduction.The establishment of a
reproductive health system provides not only a solution measure to the population problem,
but also contributes to the improvement of individual health and it is based on the definition of
“health”2 as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its Constitution.
DEFINITION OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Reproductive health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and
social well-being of an individual not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in
all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes.
This includes the ability to have a safe and satisfying sex life, the freedom to
decide if, when, and how often to reproduce, and the capability to reproduce. It
also encompasses the ability to make informed choices about reproduction,
access to safe and effective family planning methods, and quality healthcare
services related to pregnancy and childbirth.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHT
1.The right to life: Mothers and babies should be kept healthy and safe during
pregnancy and delivery. Maternal health, maternal mortality, and infant mortality
fall within this right.
2.The right to liberty and security of the person: People must be able to make
their own sexual and reproductive choices. This includes freedom from sexual
assault, sexual harassment, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, and forced
sterilization.
3.The right to health, including sexual and reproductive health: This right requires
confidential and accessible health care services for family planning, infertility,
pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV/AIDS.
4.The right to decide the number and spacing of any children: This tenet protects
the right to access contraception and other family planning services.
5.The right to consent to marriage and equity in marriage: Forced marriages and
child marriages violate this right.
6.The right to privacy: Privacy disfavors laws that require women and young
people to get spousal or parental consent before receiving reproductive health
services.
7.The right to equality and non-discrimination: This right protects against
discrimination based on pregnancy or motherhood. It also requires countries to
work towards eliminating reproductive health discrimination experienced by
racial, religious, or ethnic minority groups.
8.The right to be free from practices that harm women and girls: This right forbids
practices that affect women’s reproductive rights, such as female genital
mutilation.
9.The right to not be subjected to torture or cruel or degrading punishment: This
right condemns sexual violence, domestic violence, sexual harassment,
nonconsensual reproductive experimentation, and sex trafficking.
10.The right to be free from sexual and gender-based violence: Focusing on the
social and cultural aspects of abusive conduct, this right works to eliminate
preconceived notions of inferiority or superiority amongst genders that have
historically led to violence.
11.The right to access sexual, reproductive health, and family planning
information:This right encourages access to accurate, non-stereotypical sex
education and reproductive health information.
12.The right to enjoy scientific progress: Reproductive technology should be
available to all. People should be informed about the dangers of new
technologies. They also need access to beneficial technologies that can assist in
times of need.
COMPONENTS OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
1. Family Planning:
Providing access to a range of contraceptive methods, information, and
counseling to enable individuals and couples to plan their families and choose the
number, spacing, and timing of their children.
2. Maternal Health:
Ensuring safe pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, including antenatal
care, delivery services, and postnatal care.
3. Prevention and Treatment of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs):
Addressing and managing RTIs and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs),
including HIV/AIDS, to prevent complications and promote overall reproductive
health.
4. Prevention of Unsafe Abortion:
Providing access to safe abortion services and post-abortion care, as well as
preventing unsafe abortions through comprehensive family planning services and
education.
5. Infertility Management:
Providing diagnosis, treatment, and counseling for individuals and couples
experiencing infertility.
6. Adolescent Reproductive Health:
Addressing the unique reproductive health needs of adolescents, including sexual
health education, contraception, and prevention of STIs.
7. Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):
Raising awareness about the harmful effects of FGM and working towards its
elimination.
8. Sexual Health:
Promoting sexual well-being, healthy relationships, and responsible sexual
behavior through education, counseling, and access to related services.
9. Prevention and Management of Gender-Based Violence:
Addressing violence against women and girls, including domestic violence and
sexual assault, through prevention, protection, and support services.
10. Access to Quality Reproductive Health Services:
Ensuring that individuals have access to comprehensive and high-quality
reproductive health services, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
