What are reproductive health rights?

The reproductive health rights we often talk about essentially cover the entire life cycle from pubertal development to menopausal decline, the sum of an individual’s right to make independent decisions on their own reproductive-related matters, the right to obtain information, the right to service, and the right to be free from reproductive-related violence and discrimination. The core of all rights is always “not to be forced, and to put one’s own well-being first.”

Don’t think that these rights are far away from ordinary people. They are everywhere in daily scenes. For example, if an adult girl who has just entered college becomes pregnant unexpectedly, she has the right to independently decide whether to continue the pregnancy. Neither her partner nor her parents have the right to interfere. The hospital must also protect her privacy during medical treatment and will not casually leak the medical information to a third party. This is the most intuitive embodiment of the right to independent decision-making and privacy. You have the right to obtain free contraceptives from the community health service center downstairs and the scientific sex education courses offered in schools. You have the right to request accurate and unbiased relevant information without being misled by stigmatizing remarks. This falls under the category of the right to obtain information.

If you encounter the need for reproductive-related diagnosis and treatment, such as pre-pregnancy examination, childbirth, and treatment of reproductive system diseases, no matter you are married or unmarried, or have given birth or not, you have the right to receive standardized and affordable medical services, and you will not be treated differently based on your identity. I met a young girl who came for consultation before. When she said she was going for a routine gynecological examination, the doctor asked her, "Why should I check if I'm not married?" In fact, this is discrimination in disguise. You can definitely raise objections when encountering this situation.

Of course, there are still many controversial points in this field where there is no consensus. For example, the issue of egg freezing for single women has been discussed a lot. Egg freezing services for single women have not yet been liberalized in China. Supporters believe that this is the right of women to independently plan their own reproductive rhythms, and individuals should be allowed to choose to freeze their eggs according to their own life arrangements. Opponents are worried that once liberalized, commercial abuse will occur. In addition, the health risks of egg freezing itself may harm women's rights. Different countries have very different policies on this point, and there is no unified conclusion yet. There is also the reproductive health decision-making authority of minors. Currently, the industry is also discussing whether to give teenagers over the age of 14 the authority to independently obtain contraceptives and sexually transmitted disease diagnosis and treatment. It takes into account both the independent wishes of minors and the guardian's right to know. It is indeed not an easy matter to strike a balance.

As for behaviors that are clearly infringements, everyone has actually heard of them, such as forced sex in marriage, the bad habit of female genital mutilation in some areas, and the forced IUD and forced induction of labor that occurred in some places in the early years. These are all behaviors that directly touch the red line of reproductive health rights and are now banned globally.

In fact, the right to reproductive health is a bit like a cup of warm water in your hand. Ultimately, it is you who has the final say whether to drink it, when to drink it, and how much to drink. Others can neither force you nor stop you from drinking. They must also ensure that the water you get is clean and safe. This is the most authentic meaning of this right.