Standards, Framing and Developments in Reproductive Law: A Briefing by the Center for Reproductive Rights

The principles of substantive equality and autonomy can play an important role in fulfilling women’s reproductive rights, as they require states to empower women to make choices about their own reproductive health and lives and to address the historical causes of health-related inequalities for women. This series of fact sheets provides information on how the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Human Rights Committee can fully utilize the principles of substantive equality and autonomy to fulfill women’s reproductive rights, both generally and as specifically applied to women’s right to access safe and legal abortion services.