Family planning as a human right – 50 years on

It was 50 years ago on 13 May 1968 that family planning was recognized as a basic human right at the International Conference on Human Rights. In what has come to be known as the Teheran Declaration, it was clearly stated that “Parents have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.”

Nine standards to uphold family were included, namely: non-discrimination; available; accessible; acceptable; good quality; informed decision-making; privacy and confidentiality; participation; and accountability.

Nevertheless, 50 years later, and as we begin to prepare for ICPD at 25 in 2019, this right is under attack.

See: https://www.unfpa.org/news/fifty-years-ago-it-became-official-family-planning-human-right