At the 2023 UN General Assembly, the global community reviewed progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015. Among the 13 targets related to health in the Sustainable Development Goals, target 3.7, “Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services”, is perhaps the most controversial—despite its profound implications for the health and wellbeing of individuals and families. An abundance of evidence shows that improvements in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) contribute to economic growth, poverty eradication, gains in education, reduced inequalities, and environmental sustainability. Yet, all too often, the politicization of sex, gender, and reproduction gets in the way of progress. Around the world there are attacks on reproductive freedoms, including renewed restrictions on abortion and harsh sanctions for same sex relationships, which represent outright assaults on personal autonomy and dignity.

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