For 20 years, the Center for Reproductive Rights has used the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill.
Our Vision
Reproductive freedom lies at the heart of the promise of human dignity, self-determination and equality embodied in both the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Center works toward the time when that promise is enshrined in law in the United States and throughout the world. We envision a world where every woman is free to decide whether and when to have children; where every woman has access to the best reproductive healthcare available; where every woman can exercise her choices without coercion or discrimination. More simply put, we envision a world where every woman participates with full dignity as an equal member of society.
Since 1992, our attorneys have boldly used legal and human rights tools to create this world. We are the only global legal advocacy organization dedicated to reproductive rights, with expertise in both U.S. constitutional and international human rights law. Our groundbreaking cases before national courts, United Nations committees, and regional human rights bodies have expanded access to reproductive healthcare, including birth control, safe abortion, prenatal and obstetric care, and unbiased information. We influence the law outside the courtroom as well, documenting abuses, working with policymakers to promote progressive measures, and fostering legal scholarship and teaching on reproductive health and human rights.
We are legal innovators seeking to fundamentally transform the landscape of reproductive health and rights worldwide, and have already strengthened laws and policies in more than 50 countries.
Our work
The Center is a legal innovator seeking to fundamentally transform the landscape of reproductive health and rights worldwide. We have defined the course of reproductive rights through our victories in regional, federal, and local Courts around the world, as well as at the United Nations.
Our South Asia and Reproductive Accountability Initiative (SARJAI) has jump-started pioneering reproductive rights litigation in the region.
We also influence the law outside the courtroom, Reporting on Rights and Engaging policymakers to promote progressive ideas and defeat proposals that are discriminatory, punitive, or dangerous to women's health.
The Center is expanding the world community of knowledgeable, committed reproductive rights champions. We sponsor Conferences and Trainings for lawyers and other advocates. And our Law School Initiative is revolutionizing the way reproductive rights law is taught in the U.S.
Our issues
Our Issues reflect what a woman needs to direct her own life and make healthy decisions: Legal, safe, and affordable Contraception and Abortion. Good obstetric and prenatal care for a Safe & Healthy Pregnancy. Information about reproductive health that is free from Censorship. Funding for Reproductive Healthcare so that she can lead as healthy a life as possible even if she can't afford services. And because some women are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and abuse, we pay special attention to the rights of Young People and women with HIV/AIDS.
Our regions
The Center is the world's only global legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing women's reproductive health, self-determination, and dignity as basic human rights. We have strengthened reproductive health laws and policies in more than 50 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the United States. Wherever we go, we partner with local lawyers and advocates to ensure that our strategies are sensitive to-and effective in-each unique cultural, economic, and political context. But our global reach means that we can build on success in any single country to improve the lives of women and their families everywhere.
