Breaking The Silence on Infertility: Policy Brief
Policy brief by Marie E. Thoma, Muntaha Gharaibeh, Elly Leemhuis, Arnob Chakrabarty, Kishore Kumer Basak, & Ananya Krishnan.
This Policy Brief is a knowledge product from a “twin project – Breaking the Silence on Infertility.” This project is the joint result of two awarded SNI grants focused on creating knowledge products that were designed as part of the ‘Infertility track’ of the Share-Net International Co-Creation Conference in 2019.
The results are various tools for awareness, advocacy and action to help everybody to break the silence and speak up about infertility.
Abstract
Although recognized as central to reproductive rights, addressing infertility has been neglected within the global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) agenda. Growing awareness of the magnitude and consequences of infertility has garnered increased national, regional, and international attention to the detection, prevention, and management of infertility and infertility-related stigma. In this policy brief, we document the magnitude and impact of infertility and its connection to broader human rights principles, a SRHR agenda, and sustainable development goals. We call on policymakers, public health and health care providers, and other stakeholders to develop a national action plan to address infertility and infertility-related stigma. We outline 5 priority areas to engage, educate, address, and advocate for a broader focus on infertility and provide country-specific examples of programs designed to meet these priorities.
Key Messages
- Infertility is a reproductive health issue that has been neglected within the global sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda.
- Infertility impacts over 180 million individuals worldwide, equally affecting men and women.
- Women and girls often bear the societal burden of infertility and its consequences, including gender-based violence.
- Access to fertility care shows large inequities within and between countries.
- A country-specific national action plan is needed to address the detection, prevention, and management of infertility and related stigma.
- Addressing infertility means addressing human rights and gender inequality, contributing to achieving SDGs.
You can read the full policy brief here, in English, French, and Spanish:
The executive summary is available here, in English, French, and Spanish:
EN: Breaking the Silence on Infertility – Executive Summary
Dissemination Plan:
The dissemination plan is available here, in English: Breaking the Silence on Infertility – Policy Brief Dissemination Plan
More tools:
Have a look at the series of videos created by IPFF and RedOrange offering exclusive insights and stories into the topics of sub/infertility.