What are sexual and reproductive rights?
Sexual and reproductive rights are part of human rights. Human rights are written down in laws and international treaties, and have been signed by almost every country in the world. The Netherlands has signed them too and has to respectRespectFeeling of appreciation for a person. If you respect another person, you think…Read more these rights.
Sexual rightsSexual rightsRights of every human being in experiencing and living his or her sexuality.…Read more
When sexual rights are respected, people are able to enjoyTo enjoyTo feel pleasure, for example during sex.Read more satisfying and safe sexual and loveLoveStrong feeling of connection, respect, intimacy and commitment for another person. People have…Read more relationships.
This means that these relationships are free from coercionCoercionForcing someone to do or undergo something, for example by violence or threats…Read more or violence and without fear of infectionInfectionInfection occurs when a germ enters the body and causes damage. A germ…Read more or unintended pregnancyPregnancyThe time when a woman is expecting a baby. The pregnancy begins when…Read more.
Reproductive rights
Reproductive healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more is related to pregnancy, deliveryDeliveryThe process of giving birth to a baby.Read more and deciding whether and when to have children. When reproductive rights are respected, people can choose if and when they want to become pregnant, use contraception or have an abortion.
What are these fundamental sexual and reproductive rights?
The right to life
You have the right to get the best available healthcare during pregnancy and delivery. Healthcare professionals will do all they can to protect the life and health of you and your baby.
The right to personal freedom and safety
You have control over your own body and your sexual life. You have the right to enjoy your sexualitySexualityA central aspect of being human. It is a normal and positive way…Read more and are free to decide whether and when to have children and how many you want to have.
It also means coercion, sexually abusive behaviourSexually abusive behaviourSexual behaviour that is not okay. Sex should be pleasurable and feel good.…Read more and exploitation are forbidden by lawLawRules which decide what you may and may not do. Every country has…Read more.
The right to equalityEqualityIdea that all people are equal and have to be treated as such. Whether…Read more
You have the right to be treated equally and not to be discriminated against because of your ethnic or national origin, because of your religion or political views, health status, sexual orientationSexual orientationFeeling sexually and emotionally attracted to someone. This can be someone of the opposite…Read more, because you are a man or a woman or whatever possible reason. Men and women have equal rights.
The right to privacyPrivacyRight to give information to someone without this person passing on this information…Read more
You have the right to make your own choices about sexuality without fear of negative reactions or persecution. This means that professionals in health care and social services have to respect your privacy. They are obliged by law to keep your information confidential. It is forbidden to share the results of a HIV test with other people if the tested person has not given their permission for this.
The right to freedom of thought
You have the right to have your own opinion about sexuality and sexual health and you have the right to talk about it.
The right to information and to education
You have the right to receive all the information and education you need to take care of your sexual and reproductive health. For example: information on how your body works, on contraceptionContraceptionMeans and methods of preventing pregnancy. Condoms and the contraceptive pill are examples…Read more and on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The right to marry or not, and to start and plan a family
Nobody has the right to force you or to make these decisions in your name. You can choose who you want to marry.
The right to have children or not
You have the right to have access to contraception, such as the contraceptive pill, IUDIUDIUD means intrauterine device. It is a means of preventing pregnancy (a method…Read more or condoms.
The right to health care
In the Netherlands everyone, including people without legal residence status, has a right to health care. If you are HIV-positiveHIV-positiveYou are HIV-positive when you are infected with the HIV-virus. An HIV-positive person…Read more, the Dutch government cannot send you to a country where you cannot continue your treatmentTreatmentCare and/or follow-up by a professionally trained person. Treatment can be given with…Read more.
The right to freedom of assembly and political participation
You have the right to gather with other people to talk about sexual and reproductive rights and to take action to make sure that these rights are respected. You have the right to raise awareness or ask politicians to make decisions to guarantee these rights.
The right to be free from torture and ill-treatment
You have the right to be protected against all forms of violence related to sexuality, such as sexual harassmentSexual harassmentSexual harassment refers to comments, gestures and actions that are sexual in nature…Read more, sexual assault or rape, human trafficking, child abuse or female genital mutilation.