Aahung
Right Based Approach
to
Sexual & Reproductive Health
Existing Scenario
• Pakistan’s population stands at an estimated
160 million people.
• In the next 15 years it is calculated to reach
over 220 million;
• 30-35 women were reported to die every day
due to pregnancy related complications;
• 1 woman died every 20 minutes in Pakistan
due to health related factors
• 4% of the female population died before
reaching adulthood, often due to a failure
to provide timely medical assistance.
• With 60% of the population living in rural
areas, it was estimated that the vast
majority among them never received any
kind of medical attention during
pregnancy, childbirth or sickness.
• Age of childbearing still remained under 16
years for most rural women.
(HRCP, 2003)
What is the Need
• Improved maternal and newborn health.
• Accessible, high quality family planning
choices.
• Elimination of unsafe abortion.
• Reduced incidence of HIV and sexually
transmitted infections.
• Greater awareness of sexual health and
reduced risky behavior.
• Gender equality, rights, accountability and
equity realized everywhere.
Health & Wellness
HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
HIGH LEVEL OF
WELLNESS
ENABLING
ENVIRONMENT
RESPECT
PROTECT
FULFILL
Reproductive /Sexual Health
• A state of complete of physical, mental
and social well being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity in all
matters relating to the reproductive system
and to its function and processes
• Capacity to enjoy and control sexual and
reproductive behavior in accordance with
personnel ethics free from shame and guilt
and coercion
Health as a Right
“Enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of health is one of the
fundamental rights of every human being
without distinction of race, religion, political
belief, economic or social condition”
WHO constitution, quoted in Corrigan
(1997), p.7
Rights based approach
assumes
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Health and rights are inseparable
Gender equity and equality
Client centered health care
Informed choice
Voluntary decision making
Basic Elements of Informed
Choice and Voluntary Decision
Making
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Service options availability
Decision making process is voluntary
Appropriate information
Good client-provider interaction (CPI)
Social and rights context support
autonomous decision making
Why rights based
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Fundamental to quality
Increased acceptability of services
Increased accessibility of services
Sensitive to customer needs
Efficient services (accountability)
Empowers clients
Barriers to a rights based
approach
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Lack of skills
Lack of services
Inappropriate services
Time consuming
Patient empowerment as a threat to health
care provider
• Perception of client abilities