The role of parliamentarians in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights

Parliamentarians are central to the full implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA). We promote, review, and adopt sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) legislation, including budget appropriations. Parliamentarians also approve policies formulated by government and endorse resolutions and statements in support of SRHR. All Party Parliamentary Groups on Population, Development, and Reproductive Health have now been established in nearly 100 countries to promote the ICPD PoA. Examples are given of successful SRHR parliamentary advocacy in the UK, Europe, and internationally. The biggest constraint to achieving universal access to reproductive health services by 2015 (the new MDG 5 target) remains ideological-driven campaigns across Europe and the USA. Politicians must be brave and speak out against misinformation or ill-informed and ideological-driven campaigns that mitigate the promotion of women's SRHR. (c) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.