UN Human Rights Council 47: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Health
The UK delivered this statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on health.
The Human Rights Council takes place in Geneva.
Thank you, Madam President.
The United Kingdom would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report on this important agenda and in particular her focus on ensuring the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.
The UK remains strongly committed to defending and championing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights globally. We will continue to use our voice on the world stage and work with others to defend and promote these fundamental rights for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities and has put the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, girls, adolescents and other marginalised groups at real risk. The UK therefore welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s plans to build on her predecessors’ report on the right to highest attainable standard of physical and mental health of adolescents.
COVID-19 related school closures have put many adolescent girls at risk as schools provide an important entry point for education and raising awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The UK is committed to dismantling barriers to girls’ education by addressing discriminatory gender norms, keeping girls safe from violence and providing life skills including sex and relationships education.
Special Rapporteur,
How can Member States best support your work on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents?
Thank you.