NGLS Policy Brief No 7: Recommendations on Women’s Human Rights and Gender Equality

The UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) has posted its latest policy brief on Women’s Human Rights and Gender Equality on its website, in preparation for the eighth session of the Open Working Group (OWG) that will take place from 3-7 February 2014.

The brief has been compiled following a consultation with civil society networks and calls for “a universal, inter-linked, multi-sectoral, and holistic approach to the SDGs that upholds the achievement of women’s human rights and gender equality as central to the achievement of sustainable development. Contributors issued a resounding call for both a standalone goal on gender equality and women’s human rights and the ‘mainstreaming’ of gender equality and women’s human rights through comprehensive targets and indicators in the SDGs. Recognizing that women from socially excluded communities face multiple forms of discrimination, the SDGs must include a strong focus on the achievement of equity and social justice.”

It stresses the importance of “a rights-based approach to achieving gender equality, integrating the broader human rights framework into the post-2015 agenda and guaranteeing the full implementation of existing human rights agreements…”

Ensure Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

The Policy Brief includes detailed recommendations to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights. For example it calls for:

• Inter-linkages between health (including sexual and reproductive health and rights) and inequality…
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, particularly women and girls including through “the provision of quality, comprehensive, integrated and non-discriminatory sexual and reproductive health services…”
• “Universal and equitable access to comprehensive sexuality education; safe, effective, affordable methods of contraception; safe and adequate maternity care; safe abortion; and prevention and treatment options for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections”
• Freedom for women and girls to decide
• Sexual and reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality education and youth-friendly services for young people
• Non-discriminatory services for women living with HIV that allow them to make informed and autonomous choices about “their sexual and reproductive rights, including during pregnancy…”
• Sexual and reproductive health services and psychosocial care in conflict and post-conflict situations and humanitarian crises…