The concept of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is based on a human rights approach. It was formulated for the first time in 1994 at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in the conference’s program of action, which the German Government also pledged to support. This approach is aimed at empowering both genders to reach self-determined, responsible decisions. It is closely related to the Program of Action 2015 and to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols.

SRH is crucial to a population policy that seeks, on the basis of a human rights approach, to bring population growth into accord with natural and economic resources. This means that SRH is closely linked to poverty reduction and conservation of natural resources and is a key area for achievement of Millennium Development Goals 3, 4 and 5 (gender equality, lower child mortality and improved maternal health).

Special efforts are needed to improve maternal health. Complications resulting from unsafe abortions alone cost the lives of 67,000 young women around the world annually.

Strengthening the links between sexual and reproductive health measures and implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes is indispensable to an efficient deployment of resources. The following pages describe how GIZ proceeds in supporting SRH: