reproductive health services

State of World Population 2012

Published by: 
UNFPA

All human beings—regardless of age, sex, race or income—are equal in dignity and rights. Yet 222 million women in developing countries are unable to exercise the human right to voluntary family planning.

This flagship report analyzes data and trends to understand who is denied access and why. It examines challenges in expanding access to family planning. And it considers the social and economic impact of family planning as well as the costs and savings of making it available to everyone who needs it.

The report asserts that governments, civil society, health providers and communities have the responsibility to protect the right to family planning for women across the spectrum, including those who are young or unmarried.

Are women at the centre? A critical review of the new NSP resp onse to women’s sexual and reproductive rights

Published by: 
AIDS Legal Network (ALN)

A critical review of the new NSP response to women’s sexual and reproductive rights The protection and advancement of women’s rights, especially women’s sexual and reproductive rights, are critical aspects of effective responses to HIV. However, a societal context filled with gendered norms and expectations around sex and sexuality severely limits women’s access to and enjoyment of sexual rights and choices, while at the same time, societal expectations of motherhood, compromise women’s rights to make informed reproductive choices.

State of world population 2011: People and possibilities in a world of 7 billion

Published by: 
UNFPA

How did we become so many? How large a number can our Earth sustain? These are important questions, but perhaps not the right ones for our times. When we look only at the big number, we risk being overwhelmed and losing sight of new opportunities to make life better for everyone in the future. So instead of asking questions like, “Are we too many?” we should instead be asking, “What can I do to make our world better?” or, “What can we do to transform our growing cities into forces for sustainability?” We should also ask ourselves what each of us can do to empower the elderly so they can play a more active role in their communities. What can we do to unleash the creativity and potential of the largest youth cohort humanity has ever seen?

The Delivery of Integrated Reproductive Health Services at District Levels

Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
Between June 1999 and May 2000, a research team from the Women's Health Research Unit in the Department of Public Health at the University of Cape Town conducted a descriptive study on integration of reproductive health services. The study was to assess and compare the extent, obstacles and facilitating factors of the integration process of the reproductive health services in two health areas (within one health district) in Cape Town. The two health areas where a study was conducted were Khayelitsha and Belhar health areas. Both of these areas are under Tygerberg Health District. The focus of this study was to assess the role of vertical reproductive health services within these integrated services. This research was commissioned with the purpose of informing policy makers and health managers about policy and its implementation in this area of health care restructuring.

Focus on HIV/AIDS and STDs

Series Name: 
HST Update
Published by: 
Health Systems Trust
So often, with the doom and gloom attitude by which HIV and AIDS is portrayed in our newspapers, it is easy for us to feel despondent. Yet there is some good news. There are things we as health workers can do that can make a real difference. Good sex and life skills health promotion is an essential component to promoting healthy behaviour. A multi-centre study undertaken by the World Health Organisation has conclusively shown that such education does not encourage promiscuity. In fact it is seen to delay the onset of first sexual activity. Recent research from KwaZulu-Natal has also shown that most parents are in support of such sex education for their children. This dispels some of the myths that have jeopardised some health promotion initiatives in the past.