Established in early 2016, the Guttmacher-Lancet Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights has developed a comprehensive, evidence-based, bold and actionable agenda for key sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) priorities globally. The Commission is an international collaboration that brought together 16 experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, with multidisciplinary experience in a broad range of SRHR issues.
The Commission’s work resulted in a report published in The Lancet in May 2018. Alongside the publication of the report, the Commission produced a number of supporting resources in many languages and held a launch event on 9 May 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. To reflect the comprehensive and holistic nature of the Commission’s agenda, the event featured a variety of prominent voices and experts in the fields of SRHR, human rights and development discussing the findings and recommendations of the Commission’s report. Throughout 2018 and into 2019, the Commission also hosted and participated in additional events aimed at demonstrating the relevance and importance of the Commission’s agenda. Find out more about these events.
Health and development initiatives, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, address important aspects of SRHR but often fall short of covering some critically important elements, such as access to safe abortion care, nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and adolescent sexuality. To address these and other gaps, the Commission report synthesizes existing evidence and draws on recently published analyses to articulate a progressive and evidence-based vision for SRHR that is grounded in human rights. By integrating elements that are rarely recognized and addressed in global discussions, the Commission’s agenda promotes a more holistic view of SRHR and makes the strong and indisputable case that investing in SRHR is essential to sustainable development at all levels. Ultimately, the Commission aims to encourage the adoption—at the global, regional and country levels—of policies and programs that change harmful social norms, uphold human rights, promote gender equality and give individuals greater control over their bodies and lives.
Contact the Guttmacher-Lancet Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: [email protected]