Module I
Lesson 1. Introduction: sexual and reproductive health
The WHO constitution defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-
being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of health is a fundamental right of every human being, without distinction of race,
religion, political belief, culture, economic or social conditions.
Reproductive health is defined in the Programme of Action (PoA) of the International Conference
on Population and Development (ICPD), held in 1994 in Cairo, Egypt, as “a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all
matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes”.
Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, and
the possibility of pleasurable and safe sexual experience, free of coercion, discrimination, and
violence. Sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) imply that women are able to reproduce
safely, and have the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. Women have the right to
be informed about and have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family
planning.
Sexual and reproductive ill-health is estimated to account for one-third of the global burden of
disease and early death in women of reproductive age (15-44 years) (1). The ICPD PoA calls for
men and women to have the right to access appropriate quality health care services capable of
ensuring safe pregnancy and childbirth and providing couples with the best chance of having a
healthy infant.
Sexual and reproductive health covers many areas: maternal and newborn health; family planning;
comprehensive abortion care; gender-based violence, including child marriage and female genital
mutilation; infertility; HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); reproductive
system cancers, and comprehensive sexuality education (2).
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Online Orientation Course on Cultural and Islamic Considerations of Sexual and Reproductive
Health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Individuals must have autonomy and choice in accessing SRH services, and the sexual and
reproductive health and reproductive rights of special groups need to be recognized. Special groups
include: adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years; menopausal women; the elderly (>65years);
displaced people and refugees; people with disabilities; racial and ethnic minorities; immigrant
groups; indigenous people; the disadvantaged ̶ the poor, rural, less educated, and those living in
urban slums; sex workers, and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and sex
characteristics. While some of these groups are increasingly being recognized globally, within the
Region they can still be subject to controversy.
Improved SRH and rights are central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Following the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals, many countries in the Region made
tremendous progress, providing a basis on which to build and advance towards achieving SDGs.
Progress in many countries in the Region, however, has faced critical set-backs due to an increase
in armed conflicts and security instability.
References:
1. Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, China, 1995.
2. The Guttmacher-Lancet commission. Accelerate progress ̶ sexual and reproductive health
and rights for all. Lancet. 2018;391(10140):2642-2692. doi:10.1016/S0140-
6736(18)30293-9.
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Online Orientation Course on Cultural and Islamic Considerations of Sexual and Reproductive
Health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
