Status of human rights in the context of SEXUAL HEALTH AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS IN INDIA April 2018 Country assessment undertaken for National Human Rights Commission by: Partners for Law in Development SAMA Resource Group for Women and Health Partners for Law in Development F-18, First Floor Jangpura Extension New Delhi- 110014 Tel.: 011- 24316832/41823764 pldindia.org cedawsouthasia.org SAMA Resource Group for Women and Health B-45, Second Floor Shivalik Main Road Malviya Nagar New Delhi – 110017 Tel: 011-26692730/65637632 samawomenshealth.in FINAL REPORT CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................... 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 13 Sexual health and well-being ........................................................................................................ 13 Reproductive health and rights ..................................................................................................... 15 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 17 PART I COUNTRY ASSESSMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF SEXUAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ..................................................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO SEXUAL HEALTH AND WELL -BEING ................................................................. 20 Objectives, Scope and Limits of the study ..................................................................................... 20 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 20 Structure ....................................................................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER 2: SCOPE OF SEXUAL HEALTH AND WELL -BEING .............................................................................. 22 Evolution of the definition of sexual health .................................................................................. 22 Determinants of sexual health ...................................................................................................... 23 Definition of sexual health ............................................................................................................ 24 Intersections of sexual health within human rights and development ......................................... 24 Framework for assessment of sexual health for this study ........................................................... 27 CHAPTER 3: NON -DISCRIMINATION AND EQUALITY IN ACCESS TO SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES .................................. 28 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 28 Status of compliance ..................................................................................................................... 29 Transgender persons ................................................................................................................................ 29 Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual persons ........................................................................................................... 32 Adolescents .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Sex Workers ............................................................................................................................................. 35 Persons with disability ............................................................................................................................. 37 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 37 CHAPTER 4: INFORMATION , KNOWLEDGE TO ENABLE EXERCISE OF INFORMED CHOICES ........................................ 38 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 38 Status of compliance ..................................................................................................................... 39 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 41 CHAPTER 5: HIV/ AIDS AND STI PREVENTION ............................................................................................ 42 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 42 Status of compliance ..................................................................................................................... 43 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 47 CHAPTER 6: PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND REGULATION OF SEXUAL AUTONOMY ................................ 47 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 47 Status of compliance ..................................................................................................................... 49 Vulnerable groups .................................................................................................................................... 49 Aspects related to legal protection and redress ...................................................................................... 55 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 57 2 FINAL REPORT PART II COUNTRY ASSESSMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS ..................................................................................................................................... 59 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS ............................................................... 60 Objectives ...................................................................................................................................... 60 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 60 Desk review .............................................................................................................................................. 61 Data collection ......................................................................................................................................... 61 Structure of report ........................................................................................................................ 61 Limitations .................................................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER 2: NATURE AND SCOPE OF HUMAN RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND WELL -BEING ........................................................................................................................................................... 62 First formulation of reproductive rights ........................................................................................ 62 Locating reproductive health rights: Acknowledging and embracing different human rights ..... 64 Right to Health ......................................................................................................................................... 65 Right to Life and Liberty ........................................................................................................................... 67 Right to non-discrimination and equality ................................................................................................. 67 Right to Education and Information ......................................................................................................... 70 Right to enjoy benefits of scientific progress ........................................................................................... 71 Right to privacy, and to marriage and family life ..................................................................................... 72 Locating reproductive health rights within the constitutional provisions ..................................... 74 CHAPTER 3: ASSESSMENT OF KEY AREAS OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS : ISSUES , GAPS AND COMPLIANCE ........................................................................................................................................................... 77 The Public Health Context: Major Challenges ............................................................................... 77 Maternal health ............................................................................................................................ 80 What interventions has the GOI adopted? .............................................................................................