Geneva, 20/10/2023 – Today at the UNECE Regional Conference on ICPD30 in Geneva, EPF's Executive Director Neil Datta presented the latest Atlas - a visual representation of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) policies across Europe. The European Combined SRHR Ranking Atlas 2020-2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the state of SRHR in Europe, consolidating data and findings from previous EPF's Atlases on SRHR key aspects including abortion laws and policies, contraception policies, fertility policies, HPV prevention policies, SRHR development funding, and gender-based violence prevention efforts. By integrating these elements into a single, cohesive map, the Atlas offers a holistic perspective on SRHR in Europe during the period 2020-2023.
The Atlas is designed to be a tool for policymakers, decision-makers, advocacy groups, and civil society, working to promote SRHR all across Europe. This publication aims to serve as a vital resource for all stakeholders interested in promoting SRHR for all. By offering a consolidated overview of key SRHR indicators, the Combined SRHR Ranking Atlas provides a powerful tool to identify areas in need of improvement, recognise best practices, and foster informed discussions to advance SRHR.
In presenting the Atlas, EPF shows its commitment to the ICPD programme of action, providing essential guidance and shedding light on the path toward a future where comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare is both accessible and protected for all individuals throughout Europe.
Main Findings:
The Atlas's assessment of SRHR across 45 countries in geographical Europe reveals a diverse landscape marked by different degrees of commitment and achievement. In analysing five key policy areas, it becomes evident that progress has been made, although no country has reached the perfect score of 100. Also, evident geographical disparities across Europe remain, with a visible East-West divide affecting the region. The best-performing countries in the region are the United Kingdom, France, and The Netherlands, followed by Belgium, Sweden, and Iceland. Countries that are at the bottom of the list include Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Russia. This publication shows that more needs to be done toward a future where every individual can enjoy comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights. By learning from one another's successes and challenges, we can collectively promote SRHR across the region.
