Reporter's Toolkit on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Worldwide

"Reporting on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world offers incredible opportunities to tell the real stories of girls, women and families who are empowered by access to - or impacted by lack of access to - their full rights. Alongside these opportunities come sensitivities..."

This toolkit provides background, context, and resources for journalists writing about global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and related topics. It includes an overview of key challenges and opportunities in ensuring comprehensive SRHR; a snapshot of the current United States (U.S.) political landscape with regards to SRHR; a summary of global commitments to SRHR and progress against those commitments; and in-depth information and additional resources on a variety of SRHR-relevant topics.

The toolkit is a creation of the Universal Access Project, an initiative of the United Nations Foundation that convenes a community of donors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to support access to family planning and reproductive health care globally. The project is committed to advancing our understanding of how access to reproductive health information and services can impact girls, women, and communities around the world, and sharing this message effectively.

As explained in the toolkit, to realise SRHR, an individual needs:

• to be informed about and have access to a safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception method of their choice;
• to be informed about and empowered to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs);
• to be able to decide if and when to reproduce, and to have access to services for a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery and a healthy baby; and
• to have the right to make their own choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

The Universal Access Project notes data from Guttmacher Institute showing that 214 million girls and women in developing regions want to avoid or delay pregnancy but are not using modern forms of contraception. Yet, today, the health and rights of women and families all over the world are jeopardised - in part due to recent U.S. policies and funding cuts that are already impacting women, girls, and families around the world.

Table of contents:

From the Desk of Seema Jalan [Executive Director, Universal Access Project

Introduction

Universal Access Project

• UN and U.S. Support for SRHR
• UN Leadership on Global SRHR
• SRHR in the Global Goals
• U.S. Leadership on Global SRHR
• History of U.S. and UN Leadership on SRHR

Current Political Landscape

• 2017: Global SRHR Under Threat
• Global and Domestic Response

Emerging Issues

Covering SRHR: Sensitivities & Considerations [Among the recommendations: be aware of religious and cultural norms, ensure fully informed consent, and protect sensitive issues and identities.]

Fast Facts

Focus Areas

• Contraception
• Maternal and Newborn Health
• Abortion
• Girls and Adolescents
• Security and Stability
• Education and Economic Empowerment
• The Role of Men
• The Environment
• The Role of Faith

Further Reading

Acronyms to Know

Glossary

Note: This toolkit will be updated as needed with new research. The most recent version will always be found at the Universal Access Project website.