22 March 2023
Media Advisory
Sexual and Reproductive Justice (SRJ) exists when all people have the power and resources to make healthy decisions about their bodies, sexuality, and reproduction. As part of being in full control of their bodies and expressing themselves, free from any form of sexual or reproductive oppression, this means that all persons have the right to choose to have or not have children. In addition, persons are expected to choose the conditions under which to give birth, create a family and care for their children with the necessary social support in a safe and healthy environment.
To deepen and promote access to these rights, the department of social development, will from Wednesday, 22 until Friday, 24 March, host the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Conference in Pretoria.
The conference serves as an important milestone toward consolidating the Population Policy related Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) work that has been done in the last 24 years. It also presents an opportunity to chart a new way forward regarding the Sexual and Reproductive Justice discourse in the country.
Amongst areas of discussion, the conference will through sideline panel discussions and sessions, deliberate on addressing the legacy of forced sterilisation of HIV-positive women in public health care institutions in South Africa. People on the Move and SRJ as well as access to healthcare services for all pregnant women, including migrant women will also be deliberated upon.
This conference is part of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action 1994 +20 which resolved that South Africa should approach sexual and reproductive health and rights from a SRJ perspective as gender equality, equity and the genuine empowerment of women. This, the conference concluded that SRHR, can only be realized sustainably if reproductive justice is achieved. The conference is held in March when the country is observing human rights month under the theme: "consolidating and sustaining human rights culture into the future!"
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover National Sexual and Reproductive Justice Conference planned as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 22 - 24 March 2023
Time: 09h00 daily
Venue: Diep in Die Burg Conference Centre in Pretoria - Gauteng Province
Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 0664806845 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 0834848067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
