REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE STRUGGLE FOR GENDER EQUALITY IN HEALTH POLICY

Abstract

Reproductive rights have emerged as the latest topic of international law, taking into account the interest of the entire world to promote gender equality within health care policies. Such rights encompass reproductive health-care services, decision-making capacity, autonomy of body, and freedom from discrimination, and they constitute the basis for the social participation of women. Thanks to international instruments such as CEDAW and the ICPD Programme of Action, the rights of the state have been enhanced in terms of ensuring their obligations for fulfilling their rights by providing equal rights-based health services. However, there are many social and cultural barriers, ineffective legislation, and policy gaps that limit the reproductive rights of women everywhere. Therefore, the problem of gender equality in health policy cannot be separated from the human rights approach since the need for the presence of measures for improving accountability, participation in policymaking, and effective implementation remains highly relevant. This research highlights the transformation of the language of reproductive rights in the modern world and shows how states should respond by introducing the appropriate health policies.