The British Medical Journal has launched a dedicated collection of research and commentary examining threats to sexual and reproductive health rights worldwide, timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly.
The BMJ posted the announcement on social media, flagging that sexual and reproductive health and rights — often referred to as SRHR — are “under threat” globally. The collection brings together expert analysis on what the journal describes as rights that are fundamental not just to individual health, but to gender equality and broader social development.
At the same time, the timing is deliberate. Releasing the collection alongside the UN General Assembly places it directly into an international policy conversation, where governments and health bodies are weighing decisions that affect access to contraception, maternal care, abortion services, and education about sexual health.
But the BMJ’s framing is clear: this isn’t an abstract debate. According to the journal, these rights sit at the intersection of health outcomes and human equality — and pressure on them has real consequences for patients and communities.
For residents in Kent, sexual and reproductive health services in Kent are commissioned across several bodies, including Kent County Council, Medway Council, NHS England, and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB), depending on the specific service. Anyone with concerns about access to contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, or related care can contact their GP or use NHS 111 for guidance on local services.
Key information
- NHS 111 — call 111 or use the online service for advice on sexual health services near you
- Your GP — can refer you to local sexual and reproductive health clinics across Kent
- In an emergency, call 999
Source: @bmj_latest