Advocating for UK NGOs and building the effectiveness of the development sector

The UK Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

 Purpose

To promote the centrality of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in development policies and programmes, particularly with the UK government and its related decision-making bodies.

Objectives

  • Monitor the UK government and its institutional progress on realisation of SRHR
  • Advocate on key focus areas and influence key policy processes
  • Act as a source of information and guidance on SRHR policy and practice
  • Broaden the network by involving a new range of stakeholders

Scope

Informed by the International Conference for Population and Development (IPCD) Programme of Action and subsequent regional and international commitments, the Network exists to promote, protect and improve access to SRHRs for all people, including those affected by conflict and humanitarian disaster, and particularly for women and young people. These rights include, but are not limited to:

  • The right to exercise control over one's own body, reproductive health and sexuality
  • The right to informed access to a full range of modern family planning methods, including emergency contraception
  • The right to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) services including emergency obstetric care
  • The right to services for the prevention and treatment of STI including HIV/AIDS
  • The right to safe, legal and accessible abortion services
  • The right to freedom from Gender Based Violence (GBV) in all its forms and the right of access to appropriate medical, counselling and legal services
  • The right to access comprehensive sexuality education for those both in and out of school

Membership

Membership is open to NGOs, academic institutions and individuals. All organisations and individuals who work in sexual and reproductive health and rights, and sign up to the tenants of ICPD, are welcome to join us.

Steering Committee membership

Chair: Leo Bryant, Marie Stopes International
Committee: Alice Welbourn (ICW); Clive Ingleby (VSO); Ros Davies (Women and Children First); Stuart Halford (IPPF); Sunita Grote (International HIV/AIDS Alliance); and Susan Jolly (IDS) and Felicity Daly, Interact Worldwide.
Working Groups: the network currently has four active Working Groups -

  •  Maternal Health Working Group
  •  Sexuality Working Group
  •  SRH and HIV linkages Working Group 
  •  ICPD@15 Working Group