Understanding reproductive rights for women 

Reproductive rights are key to women’s freedom, safety, and equality. However, around the world, these rights are at risk and increasingly under attack. It’s crucial to understand what reproductive rights mean and why they matter in the fight for equality.
 

What are sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR)? 

SRHR stands for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The term includes sexual health, reproductive health, sexual rights and reproductive rights. They are different ideas, but they connect and influence each other. 

Sexual and reproductive rights give everyone the right to make informed choices. This includes choices about sexuality, sexual orientation, and pleasure. It also means deciding freely if, when, and how to have children. These rights must be free from discrimination, coercion, or violence.
 

Common examples of reproductive rights 

Reproductive rights include: 

• The right to quality health care. For example, access to contraception, safe pregnancy and childcare. This also includes safe and legal abortion, STI prevention and treatment.  
• The right to make decisions around reproduction without discrimination, coercion or violence. 
• The right of all couples and individuals to decide the number, spacing, and timing of their children. And to have the information and means to do so. For example, having access to comprehensive sex education. It also includes policies like parental leave and support, as well as freedom from forced marriage or female genital mutilation.  

These rights help people choose how to handle their reproductive health and family life. They ensure those choices are safe, informed, and voluntary. 

Reproductive rights differ to reproductive health. Reproductive health refers to access to services around family planning. 

Why reproductive rights are essential for gender equality  

Reproductive rights are key to social, economic, and political equality. When women and girls control their bodies, they can shape their lives and futures. This helps them pursue education, work, and leadership more easily. In turn, this cuts down on economic dependence and social inequality. 

Access to reproductive healthcare is crucial for health. This includes contraception and safe abortion.. These services can empower women and girls to make free and informed choices about their bodies. They can lower maternal mortality rates, and support women and girls. This, in turn, allows women to participate fully in society.  

Without these rights, women and girls can face early or forced marriage. This limits their freedom of choice. It reinforces systemic gender oppression. 
 

A global snapshot of reproductive rights 

Reproductive rights are not just about individual choice. They are shaped by laws, culture, financial status, and power. Denying them deepens inequality across generations. Here are some ways reproductive rights are restricted in various parts of the world: 

Restricted or criminalised abortion. In some countries and states, abortion is very restricted or totally banned. This forces some women to carry unwanted or unintended pregnancies to term. These measures might affect women and girls who are the most marginalised the hardest. This includes those living in more rural places and with the least financial flexibility.  

Lack of access to contraception. In many low-income or rural areas, contraception is hard to find, too expensive, or limited by laws, religion, or family expectations. This can result in unintended or unwanted pregnancies. It can also lead to a higher risk of contracting or transmitting an STI.  

Forced marriage. In many countries, some girls are pressured or forced into marriage before they want to. This limits their ability to make choices about their bodies and their education. 

Forced sterilisation. In some countries, marginalised groups have historically been sterilised without their consent. This has included disabled women and Indigenous women. Other examples are women living with HIV and ethnic minorities.

Inadequate maternal healthcare. Women in conflict zones, refugee areas, or remote places often face barriers to accessing hospitals and essential pregnancy and birth services. This can lead to preventable maternal deaths. 

Lack of sex education. In many areas, sex education is either censored or missing. Young people are left without accurate information. They need to learn about consent, contraception, healthy relationships, and sexual and reproductive health. 

Discrimination in healthcare. Marginalised groups, including LGBTQ+ people, unmarried women, migrants, and women with disabilities might not receive respectful reproductive healthcare.
 

The right to choose marriage, pregnancy or parenthood 

International human rights law says that women can choose if, when, and whom to marry. It also says that consent must be free and complete for a marriage to be valid. Yet, around 18% of countries still permit marriage before age 18. Some allow it with exceptions, such as parental or judicial consent.  

UN data from 78 countries show that only around 56 % of married or partnered women and girls aged 15–49 have full decision-making power over their sexual and reproductive health choices.

Women have the right to choose parenthood. This includes many decisions about childbirth, spacing or limiting births, and access to healthcare. But these are unevenly protected. For example, abortion laws vary dramatically around the world. And in many places, legal and social barriers limit women’s ability to decide for themselves about pregnancy and parenting. 
 

The criminalisation of sexuality and reproduction 

Criminalising sexuality and reproduction rights means passing laws that punish people for exercising their bodily autonomy. These laws target choices about bodies, relationships, and reproduction. They can limit access to contraception or abortion. They might also make same-sex relationships illegal. Non-marital sexual activity might become illegal too. These measures often make gender inequality worse instead of protecting the rights of individuals. They target marginalised groups and restrict bodily autonomy which can lead to serious impacts on health, safety, and human rights. 
 

Abortion laws and criminal penalties 

Abortion laws and criminal penalties are rules that control when, how, and if abortion is legal, and what consequences might apply for seeking an abortion outside of the law. These rules vary widely across different countries. In some places, such as the UK, abortion is permitted and accessible within the law. In others, it is heavily restricted or fully banned with criminal penalties. Penalties are applied to abortion-seekers, healthcare providers, or both.

Criminal penalties may involve fines, jail time, or loss of medical licences. This often leads to more abortions that are unsafe and unregulated, instead of stopping them completely. These laws affect women and marginalised groups the hardest. This includes younger abortion-seekers and those living in more rural places. 

They also increase health risks and limit bodily autonomy. They reinforce inequality instead of protecting mental and physical wellbeing. 
 

Criminalising sex work, same-sex relations and sex outside marriage

Making sex work, same-sex relationships, and sex outside marriage illegal means that some consensual sexual activities are seen as crimes. This includes selling or buying sexual services. It also covers same-sex relationships and having sex outside legally recognised marriage. 

These laws often unfairly target women, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalised groups. They put them at risk of arrest, harassment, stigma, and violence. Criminalisation doesn’t protect people. Instead, it limits personal freedom, access to healthcare, and safety. It also reinforces social inequality and discrimination. 
 

HIV, pregnancy and other forms of criminalisation

HIV, pregnancy, and related issues can be criminalised in many countries. This creates extra legal and social barriers. Women and marginalised groups are especially affected. 

HIV criminalisation. Laws that criminalise HIV status exist in many countries. This includes having to disclose your HIV-positive status even if there are no transmission risks. It also includes prosecution for “attempted transmission” of HIV – which can lead to anyone living with HIV being accused. This disproportionately impacts women and sex workers. Such laws also discourage testing. They make it harder to get treatment and access healthcare. 

Pregnancy-related criminalisation. In some countries, women can face legal penalties for having abortions or for being pregnant without being married. In some places, they also face charges for miscarriages, seen as suspected abortions. Laws can assume guilt or bring charges even when the woman had no control over the pregnancy outcome. 

Other related forms. Laws can make some actions related to reproductive and sexual health illegal. This includes things like using contraceptives or making surrogacy plans. Such laws limit personal choice. They raise the risk of stigma and violence. 
 

Global inequalities in reproductive rights 

Globally, reproductive rights are far from equal. Some countries offer full access to contraception. They also provide safe abortion and sexual health services. Still, many women and girls face legal limits, social stigma, and economic barriers. These challenges limit their ability to make choices about their own bodies.

Inequalities hit marginalised groups hard. This includes young women, poorer women, rural populations, and people with disabilities. Laws, and social structures work together to limit autonomy. They worsen gender inequality around the world. 

Girls, young women and marginalised communities at greatest risk 

Young women, girls, and marginalised groups face the highest risks to their reproductive rights. This is because they face overlapping social, economic, and legal barriers. Together, these restrict their autonomy. 

Poverty can limit access to healthcare, contraception, and education. Discriminatory gender and social norms may pressure girls into marriage or becoming mothers earlier than wanted. Also, marginalised groups like women of colour, Indigenous women, migrants, or women with disabilities face discrimination in healthcare and legal systems.    

These intersecting disadvantages often limit their sexual and reproductive choices. This leaves them more vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies and poorer health outcomes.

Reproductive health and rights in the UK

In the UK, reproductive health and rights are generally protected by law. They are also supported by public healthcare services. But challenges remain for some groups. 

Access, protections and remaining barriers 

In the UK, you can get contraception and family planning for free or at a low cost through the NHS. The NHS offers free care for pregnancy, fertility services, STI testing, and sexual health advice. 

Abortion is legal in England, Wales, and Scotland under the Abortion Act 1967. It is accessible up to 24 weeks for most cases. After 24 weeks, access is only permitted in specific situations. Northern Ireland has stricter laws, but recent reforms have improved access.  

In the UK, laws protect against forced marriage. They also guard against female genital mutilation (FGM) and discrimination in reproductive healthcare.   

Despite laws and available services, young women, marginalised communities, migrants, refugees, and disabled women still face barriers. They may encounter stigma, a lack of culturally sensitive care, or trouble navigating services. 

Reproductive rights under attack 

Reproductive rights are facing growing threats worldwide. Restrictive laws and limited access to reproductive healthcare mean people cannot access their rights. Social stigma also plays a big role. Many governments set strict rules on abortion, contraception, and sexual health services. Marginalised groups encounter the most significant barriers. These limits harm bodily autonomy and increase health risks. They also strengthen gender and social inequality. This makes it tougher for women and girls to make choices about their lives. 

Backlash, rollback and global political movements  

Around the world, there are examples of women and girls’ rights being rolled back. In the U.S. in 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending federal protection for abortion. It allowed individual states to ban or heavily restrict it. This has caused many states to impose legal restrictions. As a result, abortion access has been criminalised for millions of women. 

In countries like Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, conservative political and religious groups have pushed for strict anti-abortion laws. They penalise both women and healthcare providers. 
 

Who is most affected when rights are stripped away 

When reproductive rights are taken away, girls suffer. Women and marginalised groups feel the impact the most. This is because they already deal with social, economic, and legal challenges. 

Losing reproductive rights can lead to: 

• unsafe abortions 
• unwanted or unintended pregnancies 
• health complications 
• economic dependency 
• limited education or career opportunities.  

All this reinforces cycles of inequality and social exclusion.

How the movement is fighting back  

The movement for reproductive rights is fighting back. Legal, political, social, and grassroots strategies defend bodily autonomy. They also ensure access to care. Here are some global examples:  

Ireland – Repeal the 8th Amendment (2018). After years of activism, a national referendum lifted the ban on abortion. This change allows legal abortion up to 12 weeks, and in some cases, beyond. Grassroots organising, public education, and women sharing their stories were key to this success. 

Argentina – Legalisation of abortion (2020). The “Green Wave” movement, led by feminist and youth activists, pushed for legalising abortion up to 14 weeks. Mass protests and social media campaigns changed public opinion. Teamwork in civil society also influenced lawmakers. 

Global campaigns. Groups like IPPF (International Planned Parenthood Federation) and the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights offer funding, legal support, and training. They help defend reproductive health services in countries with political backlash or restrictive laws. 

The role of Plan UK and global partners   

Global children’s rights charities, such as Plan International UK, play a vital role in building an equal world. Here are some of the ways that we advocate for sexual and reproductive rights.     

All young people need relationships, sex, and health education, no matter their gender. Both girls and boys need to learn about sexual and reproductive health and rights. It builds a foundation for healthy, more equal relationships. At Plan International UK, we work with girls, boys and their communities. Together, we design projects that deliver just this.  

Relationship, sex, and health education helps young people learning about their bodies. It builds their knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Understanding your body is important. So is knowing about pregnancy, sex, healthy relationships, and harmful practices. This knowledge helps girls make safe choices for themselves and others. It also raises awareness about gender-based violence.   

Education can challenge gender stereotypes. It can  stop harmful practices. It also helps young people by giving them the tools to challenge harmful beliefs, attitudes, and practices. They then have the power to transform their communities.   

To be able to make choices about their bodies, girls need access to quality advice and services as and when they need them. Working together with girls, we make sure services are not only available but meet their needs.   

We work with communities to challenge harmful practices and social norms. These limit girls' choices about their bodies and lives. This can look like supporting family and community dialogue on sexual and reproductive choices, sexual violence, or harmful practices like child marriage and FGM.
 

How you can support reproductive rights  

You can support reproductive rights in many practical ways:  

Educate yourself and others. Learn about sexual and reproductive health and abortion rights. Read up on contraception and the challenges marginalised groups face. Share correct information to cut down on stigma and misinformation.  

Advocate for policy change. Support laws and policies that expand access to reproductive healthcare. As well as protect abortion rights, and promote gender equality. Sign petitions, reach out to your representatives, or join advocacy campaigns.  

Support grassroots and global organisations. Donate to or volunteer with organisations that offer reproductive health services, legal support, or education.  

Challenge stigma and misinformation. Challenge harmful stereotypes or myths about contraception, abortion, and sexual health. Speak out in your community, workplace, and on social media.  

Promote inclusive access. Help ensure that reproductive health services are accessible to all. 

Engage in solidarity and activism. Take part in marches, awareness campaigns, or online advocacy. Lift the voices of those most affected by restrictions on reproductive rights.

Page published: 24 June 2026