Gender equality is unattainable unless the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and adolescent girls are realized. A woman’s ability to control her own decisions about her sexual and reproductive health and rights is at the heart of other forms of empowerment, decision-making and participation at all levels. There is no gender equality without sexual and reproductive health and rights, and no sexual and reproductive health and rights without gender equality.

This brief accompanies the Gender Equality Strategy 2018–2021, which was developed to complement the UNFPA Strategic Plan and guide operationalization of the gender and rights-related aspects of its results and resources framework.