Fathalla, Mahmoud F.

This article explores the nature of states' duties to respect, protect and fulfill reproductive rights.It outlines the means to hold states accountable at the international level to implement reproductive rights. It analyzes how events-based and standard-based data can be used to show whether states are in compliance with or in violation of their obligations to implement reproductive rights and to determine the effectiveness of remedies.

This article notes that empowering women with the ability to regulate and control their fertility is a basic requirement for women's health, well-being and quality of life. It argues that coerced contraception, sterilization or abortion, and coerced motherhood equally deny women the dignity of making reproductive choices. The author notes that the negative impact on health caused by such a violation is equally severe whether it is a result of direct state action or the failure to protect reproductive rights.