Ten Good Things that Happened in 2025 – Center for Reproductive Rights

Global Advances in Reproductive Rights and Sustainable Development Goals in 2025

Despite challenges posed by anti-rights actors worldwide, 2025 witnessed significant progress in reproductive rights, aligning closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). This report highlights ten key global achievements in reproductive rights during 2025, emphasizing their contributions to sustainable development.

1. United Nations Condemns Forced Pregnancy as a Human Rights Violation

In January and June 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Committee issued landmark rulings in cases involving girls forced into pregnancy and motherhood after sexual violence. These rulings:

• Recognized forced pregnancy and motherhood as violations of human rights.
• Called for amendments in national laws to ensure access to safe abortion, especially in cases of sexual violence.
• Urged states to combat sexual violence and provide comprehensive reparations to survivors.

These decisions impact over 170 countries, advancing SDG 5 by promoting gender equality and SDG 16 by strengthening justice systems.

2. Judicial Strikes Down Unconstitutional Abortion Bans in Arizona and Michigan

Courts in Arizona and Michigan ruled that restrictive abortion laws violated state constitutional amendments protecting abortion rights. Key outcomes include:

• Permanent blocking of Arizona’s 15-week abortion ban.
• Striking down of three burdensome abortion restrictions in Michigan.
• Reinforcement of public support for abortion rights, reflecting SDG 3 and SDG 5 commitments.

3. Liberalization of Abortion Laws Across Europe

Several European countries advanced reforms to improve abortion access, including:

• Faroe Islands legalized abortion on request.
• Denmark and Norway extended legal timeframes and removed parental consent for minors.
• Luxembourg abolished mandatory waiting periods and plans constitutional protections alongside Sweden.
• Netherlands expanded medication abortion availability through general practitioners.
• The UK House of Commons voted to repeal criminalization of women obtaining abortions outside legal pathways.

These reforms promote SDG 3 by enhancing health services and SDG 5 by empowering women’s reproductive rights.

4. Recognition of Safe Abortion Rights for Sexual Violence Survivors in Nigeria and Malawi

High courts in Nigeria and Malawi affirmed the right to safe abortion for survivors of sexual violence, marking critical legal precedents:

• Nigeria’s ruling addresses unsafe abortion-related mortality affecting approximately 6,000 pregnant people annually.
• Malawi’s Gender Equality Act was interpreted to protect abortion access.

These decisions support SDG 3 and SDG 5 by safeguarding health and gender equality.

5. Expansion of Abortion Provider Protections in U.S. States

In response to cross-state abortion access challenges, several U.S. states expanded shield laws to protect abortion providers from legal actions, including:

• Colorado, Maine, New York, and Vermont enhanced confidentiality for telehealth providers.
• Ensured continued access to abortion care for patients.

This progress aligns with SDG 3 and SDG 16 by promoting health and legal protections.

6. Strengthening Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Nepal

Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population adopted new guidelines on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights following legal advocacy, featuring:

• Standards for adolescent-friendly, equitable, and non-discriminatory services.
• Community support and promotion of adolescent health literacy.
• Inclusion of adolescent participation in law and policy.

The Supreme Court reaffirmed these advancements, contributing to SDG 3 and SDG 5 by improving adolescent health and rights.

7. Hawai’i Expands Protections for Traditional Midwives

Hawai’i repealed restrictions on traditional midwives, eliminating criminal penalties and expanding licensure pathways. This addresses:

• High pregnancy-related death rates among native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander women.
• Access to culturally informed maternal care in rural areas.

This initiative supports SDG 3 by improving maternal health outcomes and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by addressing disparities.

“We finally have a way forward to protect and pass down our sacred practices. I can continue to serve my community with the compassionate, culturally informed care they deserve.”
Ki‘inaniokalani Kaho‘ohanohano, native Hawai’ian midwife & plaintiff

8. Rwanda Lowers Minimum Age for Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Without Parental Consent

Rwanda passed legislation lowering the age for accessing sexual and reproductive health services without parental consent from 18 to 15 years, addressing:

• Barriers contributing to rising teenage pregnancy rates.
• Access to contraception, HIV prevention, and other essential services for adolescents.

This reform advances SDG 3 and SDG 5 by enhancing adolescent health and rights.

9. European Union Confirms Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for Survivors of Violence

On December 11, 2025, EU institutions agreed to adopt legislation ensuring survivors of sexual violence have access to essential sexual and reproductive health services, including:

• Safe abortion.
• Emergency contraception.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis treatment.
• Testing for sexually transmitted infections.

The legislation awaits final approval in 2026, reinforcing SDG 3 and SDG 16 commitments.

10. Historic UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

The UN Human Rights Council adopted its first standalone resolution affirming rights to bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health. This milestone:

• Strengthens international norms influencing national laws and policies.
• Supports SDG 3, SDG 5, and SDG 16 by promoting health, gender equality, and justice.

Looking Forward

While challenges persist, the 2025 achievements demonstrate tangible progress toward a world where sexual and reproductive rights are respected and protected globally. These advances contribute directly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring health, equality, and justice for all individuals, including adolescents, survivors of violence, and marginalized communities.

The Center for Reproductive Rights remains committed to this long-term fight, collaborating with global partners to defend rights today and build a sustainable future.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Focus on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages, including sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Emphasis on eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls, including forced pregnancy and motherhood.
   • Promotion of women’s rights to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Addressing inequalities in access to reproductive health services, especially for marginalized groups such as adolescents and indigenous communities.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Legal rulings and reforms supporting human rights, justice for survivors of sexual violence, and protection of reproductive rights.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information and education.
   • Target 3.1: Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres.
   • Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 3.7: Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
2. Indicator for SDG 3.1: Maternal mortality ratio (number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births).
3. Indicator for SDG 5.2: Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
4. Indicator for SDG 5.6: Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee women aged 15-49 access to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education.
5. Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.
6. Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
7. Implied Indicators:
   • Number of legal reforms or court rulings protecting reproductive rights (e.g., abortion access, protection of midwives).
   • Access to adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services (e.g., lowered age of consent for health services).
   • Availability and accessibility of safe abortion services and related healthcare (e.g., medication abortion through general practitioners).
   • Rates of teenage pregnancy as an outcome measure of access to reproductive health services.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: reproductiverights.org