Reproductive and sexual health is fundamental to individuals, couples and families, and the social and economic development of communities and nations.

Concerned about the slow progress made in improving reproductive and sexual health, and knowing that international development goals will not be achieved without renewed commitment by the international community, in 2001 the 55th World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA55.19 requesting the WHO to develop a strategy for accelerating progress towards attainment of international development goals and targets related to reproductive health.

The resolution recalled and recognized the programmes and plans of action agreed by governments at the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994) and the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995), and at their respective five-year follow-up review conferences.

The resulting global reproductive health strategy was adopted by the 57th World Health Assembly in May 2004 through resolution WHA57.12.

WHO global reproductive health strategy