30 years on from the ICPD:
The state of sexual and reproductive rights around the world

Authors: Valentine Becquet (INED), Mireille Le Guen (UCLouvain), Céline Miani (INED–University of Bielefeld), Virginie Rozée (INED), Heini Väisänen (INED)

September 2024 sees the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994, a landmark moment in the recognition of sexual and reproductive rights as fundamental human rights. To mark this occasion, an all-female team of researchers, Valentine Becquet, Mireille Le Guen, Céline Miani, Virginie Rozée, and Heini Väisänen, have published an in-depth analysis of the development of these rights around the world.

The Cairo Programme of Action, signed by 179 countries in 1994, set out to improve access to contraception, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and promote gender equality. Thirty years on, how far have we come?

Significant progress and persistent challenges
Access to contraception has undeniably improved, with a marked reduction in unplanned pregnancies and increased use of modern contraceptive methods. However, inequalities remain: access to contraception remains limited for many populations, and responsibility for contraception still lies mainly with women.

Over recent years, abortion rights have moved in different directions in different parts of the world. While many countries such as Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia have legalized abortion, others, such as the United States and Poland, have restricted access to abortion, with dramatic consequences for female health.

As regards infertility, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) enabled the birth of 670,000 children in 2018, thanks to modern techniques. However, profound inequalities exist in terms of access to these services, which often remains the preserve of the wealthiest populations.

Persistent threats to fundamental rights
Despite the progress made, a number of challenges remain. Obstetric and gynaecological violence continues to affect women in many countries, exacerbated by the over-medicalization of pregnancies and births. LGBTQI+ communities and racialized, poor, or disabled populations are still marginalized and deprived of their rights in many regions of the world.

Outlook for the future
As of 2024, although significant progress has been made, there remains much to do to ensure that sexual and reproductive rights are fully recognized and upheld in all countries.