Definition and recognition of sexual rights are necessary to prevent sexual violence, coercion and discrimination across the world. Health, education and legal systems can promote sexual rights for all the world's women and men.

WHAT ARE SEXUAL RIGHTS?

Sexual rights embrace basic human rights and include:

1. Full respect for the physical integrity of the human body.

2. The right to the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.

3. The right to necessary information and services, with full respect for confidentiality.

4. The right to make decisions concerning sexuality and reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence.

WHY IS RECOGNITION OF SEXUAL RIGHTS IMPORTANT?

Recognizing sexual rights will help ensure that women and girls are not subject to:

• Unwanted sexual relations, including unwanted pregnancy and child-bearing;

• Physical, sexual and psychological violence in the community or work place, including sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation, and rape;

• Coercive or unsafe contraceptive services and coercive or unsafe abortion;

• Physical, sexual and psychological violence in the home, including marital rape, battering, imprisonment, and incest;

• Unwanted medical interventions or bodily mutilations, including female genital mutilation;

• Discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation;

• Transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS;

• Systematic rape as a weapon of war.

THE BASIS OF SEXUAL RIGHTS

Sexual rights embrace certain human rights that are already recognized in national laws and international human rights documents:

• Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 26.)

• All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. (ICCPR, article 26.)

• No one shall be subject to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 5, ICCPR, article 7.)

  The international community has also said:
  
  Cairo 1994:

  Countries should act to empower women and should take steps to eliminate inequalities between men and women as soon as possible by. . . eliminating all practices that discriminate against women; assisting women to establish and realize their rights, including those that relate to reproductive and sexual health. (International Conference on Population and Development, para. 4.4c.)

  Nairobi 1985:

  The ability of women to control their own fertility forms an important basis for the enjoyment of other rights. (Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies, para. 156.)

  Mexico City 1975:

  The human body, whether that of woman or man, is inviolable and respect for it is a fundamental element of human dignity and freedom. (World Conference of the International Women's Year, article 11.)

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