title: Using human rights for sexual and reproductive health: improving legal and regulatory frameworks.
abstract: This paper describes the development of a tool that uses human rights concepts and methods to improve relevant laws, regulations and policies related to sexual and reproductive health. This tool aims to improve awareness and understanding of States' human rights obligations. It includes a method for systematically examining the status of vulnerable groups, involving non-health sectors, fostering a genuine process of civil society participation and developing recommendations to address regulatory and policy barriers to sexual and reproductive health with a clear assignment of responsibility. Strong leadership from the ministry of health, with support from the World Health Organization or other international partners, and the serious engagement of all involved in this process can strengthen the links between human rights and sexual and reproductive health, and contribute to national achievement of the highest attainable standard of health.
authors.affiliation: Independent consultant, 2 rue Jacques Grosselin, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland. cottinghamjc@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cottingham
authors.forename: Eszter
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kismodi
authors.forename: Adriane Martin
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hilber
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lincetto
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stahlhofer
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gruskin
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D018456:Reproductive Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence