Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Women should have the right to health information and services to make the best choices for their bodies and their lives.

Sexual and reproductive health is at the heart of the most important decisions a woman makes: if and when to marry, how long to stay in school and how many children to have.

Millions of women and girls around the world do not get to freely make these choices. Poor health services and information limit their freedoms – and put their lives at risk. Globally, complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19.

When women can make informed choices about their bodies, they can make better choices for their families, their education, their livelihoods and their happiness.

Meet the Activists

Explore in this audiovisual essay how people around the world are fighting for their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Why Do Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Matter?

830
Every day, 830 women die because of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
214 million
214 million women globally have an unmet need for contraception.
25 million
Between 2010 and 2014, women had 25 million unsafe abortions globally.

What is Oxfam Doing?

Together with local organizations, we put sexual and reproductive health choices back in women's hands. When women can access vital health information and services, they can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Collaborate

With local partners, we strengthen health systems and community structures.

Inform

A woman can only demand her rights if she knows what those rights are.

Advocate

We rally communities and challenge the policies, systems and laws that need to change.

Three Steps You Can Take Now

A man with a jerry can of water at a well.

Join Us

Join Oxfam Canada's email list to get up-to-the-minute updates.

A group on a rooftop.

Fundraise

Start a fundraiser to support sexual and reproductive health and rights.

A woman with brown skin, brown eyes and dark hair is holding her young child and wearing a blue surgical mask and a red dress and headscarf.

Donate

Help secure women's sexual and reproductive health and rights in more communities.

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