World Sexual Health Day is more than a symbolic date on the calendar. It is a political reminder that sexual health and rights are not optional, they are a cornerstone of human dignity, gender equality, and social justice.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health is “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality” and requires “a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships” (WHO, 2006). This definition underscores that sexual health is not only about the absence of disease, but about rights, consent, safety, and autonomy.
Yet, UNFPA estimates that more than 200 million women worldwide still lack access to modern contraception, and unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal mortality. LGBTIQ+ communities continue to face criminalisation in over 60 countries, and young people are often denied comprehensive sexuality education, leaving them vulnerable to misinformation, coercion, and violence.
The feminist perspective tells us that sexual health cannot be achieved without addressing power imbalances: the gender norms that deny women and girls autonomy, the discriminatory laws that silence and criminalise identities, the systemic racism that excludes marginalised communities, and the economic inequalities that limit access to care.
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) stresses that sexual rights are human rights, including the right to information, the right to bodily autonomy, and the right to be free from violence and discrimination.
This year’s theme reminds us that inclusivity and equity are not add-ons, they are non-negotiable. Access to contraception, abortion care, gender-affirming services, and sexuality education are all integral parts of healthcare, not privileges. To frame them otherwise is to perpetuate injustice.
As advocates, health professionals, educators, and activists, we must continue to dismantle stigma, challenge harmful narratives, and push policymakers to prioritise SRHR in every agenda.
On World Sexual Health Day, let’s reaffirm our feminist commitment: a world where sexual health is recognised as a human right, where autonomy is respected, and where every individual, especially the most marginalised, can thrive free from stigma, violence, and inequality.
