ICPD Beyond 2014 International Conference on human rights

At the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), 179 Governments agreed to a groundbreaking, comprehensive Programme of Action (POA). The Programme of Action put human rights at the centre of development and called for a comprehensive approach to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recognizing that sexual and reproductive health services and programmes must be guided by the needs of, and must protect the human rights of individuals, especially women and girls. Governments agreed that reproductive rights, gender equality, equity and women’s empowerment are essential for improving quality of life and achieving sustained social and economic growth and sustainable development.