A Powerful Link

Strong sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services are pivotal in both preventing new HIV infections and helping people living with HIV lead healthy lives.

SRH services provide a crucial platform for reaching people with HIV prevention, care, and treatment interventions. Conversely, HIV services offer an entry point for a range of SRHR services, such as family planning, cervical cancer screening, and antenatal care, creating a holistic approach to public health.

Access: A Critical Component

Ensuring universal access to SRHR services—like education, financial support, contraception, and cutting-edge research—not only helps prevent new HIV infections but also provides essential support for those already living with HIV. Access to these services empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

However, access isn't always guaranteed. Human rights violations, poverty, gender inequality, and harmful cultural or societal practices can exacerbate the impact of HIV and other sexual health challenges. These barriers make it harder for people to obtain the SRHR services they need, leading to greater complications and adverse outcomes in the future.

A Model for Rights-Based, People-Centered Public Health

According to UNAIDS, integrating SRHR and HIV services improves access to care and sets the stage for a rights-based, people-centered public health practice. Strengthening the link between these services could lead to:

Decreased maternal mortality rates
Reduced HIV transmission
Less stigma that prevents access to services and products
Reduced teenage pregnancies
Improved sexual and reproductive health and rights for all
and more

When we focus on providing universal access to SRHR services, we're not only advancing HIV prevention but also ensuring that individuals living with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections receive the comprehensive care they need and deserve.

More resources

SRHR and HIV linkages Toolkit: https://toolkit.srhhivlinkages.org/

Call to Action on UHC and SRHR: https://www.who.int/news/item/03-07-2018-call-to-action-to-the-global-community-attaining-universal-health-coverage-through-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-and-hiv-linkages