Equity in Health

This chapter examines the evolution of international human rights standards for health equity, focusing on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). A rich history of women’s rights advocacy informs the international commitments that define SRHR. Over time, sexual and reproductive health rights have been incorporated into development agendas, clarified by treaty bodies, expanded to include sexual minorities, and implemented (or not) at the national level. With the progressive trajectory of SRHR increasingly uncertain, there are continuing challenges to the realization of SRHR, including the continuing criminalization of those who seek out sexual and reproductive health services, the rise of right-wing populism in direct opposition to feminist advancements, and the pushback against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights. Given rising opposition to sexual rights, safe abortion, and sexuality education, creative stealth advocacy will be required to advance SRHR.