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Sexual and reproductive health and rights

In many developing countries, sexuality is a taboo subject. Not everyone has access to contraceptives or HIV/AIDS medication. In addition, many women give birth without expert medical assistance. This situation prevents fair and equal development. The Dutch government supports several projects focused on combating maternal mortality, treating HIV/AIDS and helping LGBTI minorities.

How does the Netherlands promote SRHR?

  • Giving financial support to key organisations:
  • the Global Financing Facility (GFF), which works to prevent infant and maternal mortality.
  • the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which makes contraceptives available in developing countries. It also works to end child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
  • UNAIDS, the United Nations fund which aims to stamp out HIV and ensure universal access to antiretrovirals.

Better protecting the rights of minorities

The Netherlands also donates money to projects and programmes that protect the rights of minorities such as sex workers and LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) persons, and also works to prevent sexual violence, child prostitution and sexual abuse.

Putting SRHR on the political agenda

The Netherlands fosters dialogue between women and government authorities on sensitive subjects like sex education, sexual rights and abortion. One of the ways it does this is through international networks like SheDecides.