Identifying the needs and problems of those left behind, and working with them to address inequities in sexual and reproductive health: a key focus of Reproductive Health for 2020

Excerpt

One of the key messages of the Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure that no one is left behind in development efforts, and to focus these efforts on those who are most likely to be left behind [1]. We are well aware that there are enormous inequalities and inequities in sexual and reproductive health [2]. The huge differences in the rates of maternal mortality between and within countries, speak to this [3]. What this means is that some individuals, families, groups, communities, and countries are much more likely than others to experience sexual and reproductive health problems, and when they do are less likely to be able to obtain the health and social services they need to overcome these problems and to get back to good health. These inequalities and inequities exist in situations of peace and security, even in high-income countries [4‐7]. However, in situations of conflict and natural disasters, they are greatly exacerbated [8‐14]. …