The health and lives of millions of people are being threatened by government failures to guarantee their sexual
and reproductive rights, Amnesty International has said.
The charity's new campaign My Body My Rights which addresses this issue, aims to educate people by empowering them
to enjoy their sexuality. “It is unbelievable that in the twenty-first century some countries are condoning child
marriage and marital rape while others are outlawing abortion, sex outside marriage and same-sex activity – even
punishable by death,” Salil Shetty, Amnesty's general secretary said.“States need to take positive action – not
just by getting rid of oppressive laws but also promoting and protecting sexual and reproductive rights, providing
information, education, services and ending impunity for sexual violence,” he added. The new campaign encourages
youngsters to know and demand their right to make decisions about their health, body, sexuality and reproduction
without state control, fear, coercion or discrimination.
It also seeks to remind world leaders of their obligations to take positive action, including through access to
health services.
