
A Bold and Comprehensive Vision for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Dr. Cynthia Summers is the Chair of the Advisory Group to the Guttmacher-Lancet Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. This piece originally appeared as of part of Women Deliver's July Deliver for Good series. See the full July Deliver for Good newsletter for all contributions.
Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, when representatives from 179 countries collectively affirmed that the ability of all individuals to make autonomous and informed reproductive decisions is critical to sustainable development. Despite the progress made since that landmark agreement, the international community has taken a narrow view of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Persistent discrimination against women and girls and an unwillingness to openly address issues related to sexuality and rights continue to take a toll on communities worldwide.