Sexual Rights

Abstract

Sexual rights have been defined as an evolving set of entitlements related to sexuality that contribute to the freedom, equality, and dignity of all people. Sexual rights are human rights related to sexuality that address a wide range of issues and often intersect with several other rights. Examples of sexual rights issues include, but are not limited to, sexuality education, reproductive rights, maternal morbidity and mortality, and sex work. More broadly, sexual rights are one field that falls under sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Three other related, but separate fields in SRHR are sexual health, reproductive health, and reproductive rights. In the broad concept of SRHR, these four fields are treated as separate, but are inherently intertwined. Beyond this broad definition, what constitutes sexual rights is contested and means different things to different groups.