Health is a human right, and tactics learned from the human rights movement can help ensure every person access to the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.
WHO, HRP and partners present a new documentary series about the power of people to change the world.
Every individual on the planet has the right to the highest standard of health and well-being in all aspects of their sexuality, their body and their reproductive choices – but there is no 'one size fits all' strategy for making this a reality.
Right To A Better World is a documentary video series produced by WHO and HRP, in partnership with UN Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Oxford Human Rights Hub (OxHRH). It explores how tactics developed by the human rights movement can be used to achieve sexual and reproductive health rights, and drive meaningful progress towards the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"A human rights-based approach to health is essential to achieving my top priority as DG – universal health coverage," said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, when he signed the 2017 WHO-OHCHR Framework of Cooperation.
Right To A Better World builds on this major milestone for health and human rights, affirming that rights holders and their experiences belong at the centre of every discussion and decision affecting them.
"The achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development hinges on the realization of human rights, which necessitates action across sectors and disciplines," said Veronica Birga, Chief of Women's Human Rights and Gender Section of UN Human Rights. "The lessons in this series created through a multi-disciplinary partnership are invaluable and make it clear that securing rights for all, is not only the right way, but the smart way to achieve truly sustainable development."
There are four 20-minute thematic episodes in Right To A Better World, all free to access: contraception , comprehensive sexuality education maternal mortality and morbidity , and violence against women .
"This powerful series creates a unique synergy between academic and practical human rights approaches, vividly demonstrating the key role human rights can play when advocating for sexual and reproductive health rights in political, legal, and international forums," said Professor Sandra Fredman, Director of OxHRH.
"The "Right to a Better World" series bridge the communicative divide between health and human rights practitioners, throwing the spotlight on the importance of addressing not only health outcomes but the underlying gender inequalities, stereotypes and structures," adds Dr Meghan Campbell, Deputy Director at OxHRH.
Although health outcomes and the achievement of rights have improved for many across these core components of sexual and reproductive health, progress overall remains fragile and uneven.
In each episode across the series, experts in health and human rights share their professional struggles and successes working on the frontline of communities worldwide. As advocates and activists, they represent a broad range of professional fields, ages, levels and backgrounds.
The episodes can be watched at home, in groups and in classroom settings. Viewers are encouraged to learn from the experiences shared, and consider how tactics could be adapted to their own contexts.
"Human rights are the key to ensuring every person has access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, and WHO and HRP are committed to mainstreaming human rights into health policies and programmes. Our partnership with UN Human Rights and OxHRH affirms that in the changing landscape of sexual and reproductive health, human rights must be heard as loudly as clinical and scientific research," said Ian Askew, Director of the WHO Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research including HRP.
Join the conversation at #RightToABetterWorld.
Right To A Better World VIDEOS
Comprehensive sexuality education (episode 1 of 4)
Building support and understanding of every young person's right to education, health and well-being, in an inclusive and gender equal society.
Contraception (episode 2 of 4)
Ensuring each woman's and adolescent's right to make decisions about their reproductive health and future.
Maternal mortality and morbidity (episode 3 of 4)
Ensuring every woman's and adolescent's right to not only survive pregnancy and childbirth, but have a positive experience of this profound life event.
Violence against women (episode 4 of 4)
Building a world in which women and girls are free from all forms of violence and discrimination.
