SDC recognises and promotes the human right to reproductive health and reproductive choices of women, men and adolescents within the context of its broader endeavour towards gender-equality. Maternal and perinatal complications are to a large extent avoidable. Yet, half a million women die each year of the consequences of pregnancy or childbirth, 99% of them in developing countries. Much the same is true for the perinatal and infant deaths. Children are the future of a population and any effort to improve their health development is an investment in the development of a society.

Within the wide range of subtopics that fall under the umbrella of Reproductive Health, SDC focuses its support on promoting the concept of Sexual and Reproductive Rights; promoting gender sensitive approaches to Sexual and Reproductive Health; promoting integrated Reproductive Health services including HIV prevention and diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections; promoting Maternal and Infant Health; supporting efforts to reduce gender based violence including Female Genital Mutilation. Switzerland contributes significantly to multilateral activities in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health. Futhermore, SDC continues to strengthen its existing bilateral experience in addressing reproductive, perinatal and infant health.