Lessons from Catalonia: advancing sexual and reproductive rights through feminist policymaking and governance

As sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) face mounting threats globally, Catalonia’s National Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Rights showcases how democratic governments can expand SRR through feminist policymaking and governance. Building on the region’s robust public health infrastructure, sys...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Verge Mestre, Tània, Pineda-Lorenzo, Montserrat
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10230/71295
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/71295
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2025.2529072
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Feminist and rights-based approach
Abortion
Contraception
Menstruation and menopause
Obstetric violence
Transgender persons' healthcare
Comprehensive sexuality education
Pregnancy loss
Feminist policymaking and governance
Anti-gender movement
Descripción
Sumario:As sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) face mounting threats globally, Catalonia’s National Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Rights showcases how democratic governments can expand SRR through feminist policymaking and governance. Building on the region’s robust public health infrastructure, systemic inequalities have been addressed and care standards improved with innovative policies. Grounded in intersectional feminism and a rights-based approach that prioritises bodily autonomy, universality, accessibility and participation, SRR have been embedded not only into health policies but also into education, workplaces and community frameworks. Key lessons from this experience highlight the importance of feminist expertise and leadership in driving impactful change. Framing SRR as human rights broadens their scope and facilitates collaboration across cabinet portfolios, while institutionalising policies within extant frameworks and services seeks to ensure their sustainability beyond political cycles. Furthermore, transformative SRR policies need not be cost-prohibitive; redesigning public services and training health professionals to deliver empathetic care can also yield significant results. Public engagement and participatory policymaking empower citizens and stakeholders, fostering accountability and a culture of advocacy. Catalonia’s bold and inclusive model, coupled with robust responses to the anti-gender movement, offers a blueprint for governments and advocacy organisations worldwide.