State of World Population 2021

My Body is My Own: Claiming the right to autonomy and self-determination

Each of us has a right to bodily autonomy and the power to make our own choices about our bodies. Yet, millions of people are denied their right to say no to sex. Or yes to the choice of a partner in marriage or to the right moment to have a child. Many are denied this right because of race, sex, sexual orientation, age or ability. Through this edition of the State of World Population, UNFPA is highlighting why bodily autonomy is a universal right that must be upheld. The report reveals how serious many of the shortfalls in bodily autonomy are and also outlines solutions already at hand. Real, sustained progress largely depends on uprooting gender inequality and all forms of discrimination, and transforming the social and economic structures that maintain them.