Sexual Rights For All Webb

Sexual rights cannot be ignored What is sexuality?

Sweden iS Strongly committed to and perceived as a cham- pion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Al- though recognition of the connection between SRHR and poverty reduction has grown in development circles, there is a tendency to favor reproductive rights over sexual rights, de- spite the progressive plans of action in Cairo in 1994 and Bei- jing in 1995. The Swedish International Development Coop- eration Agency (Sida) wants to again put the spotlight on the importance of sexual rights.

Sweden’s point of departure is that development is ulti- mately driven by people’s own willingness and ability to im- prove their circumstances. The individual is the central sub- ject of development and it is important to create a favorable environment in which every individual enjoys all sexual rights and can take an active part in the development. When sexual rights are respected individuals are empowered to make choices that can affect and improve their lives.

the UniverSal declaration of hUman rightS and several hu- man rights treaties, ratified by most countries, already em- brace sexual rights, even though they are not explicitly stated. Sexual rights are implicit in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The Millenni- um Declaration and the Yogyakarta Principles also encom- pass these rights. Sexual rights are human rights and apply to everyone. It is the duty of all governments to respect, protect and fulfill these rights.

the aim of thiS brochUre Sexual Rights for All is to encourage a frank discussion about sexual rights as human rights and their role in development. This brochure gives a few examples of Sida-supported programs that strengthen sexual rights and create circumstances that enable people to change and im- prove their lives.