Context: According to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) flagship State of World Population Report 2021 titled ‘My Body is My Own’ found that nearly half of women in 57 developing countries are denied the right to decide whether to have sex with their partners, use contraception or seek health care.
Key Points

• “In essence, hundreds of millions of women and girls do not own their own bodies. Their lives are governed by others.”
• Some examples of violation of bodily autonomy include, child marriage, female genital mutilation, a lack of contraceptive choices leading to unplanned pregnancy, unwanted sex exchanged for a home and food or when people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities cannot walk down a street without fearing assault or humiliation. 
• Under its ambit also fall people with disabilities stripped of their rights to self-determination, to be free from violence and to enjoy a safe and satisfying sexual life.

The report shows that in countries where data are available

• Only 55 per cent of women are fully empowered to make choices over health care, contraception and the ability to say yes or no to sex.
• Only 71 per cent of countries guarantee access to overall maternity care.
• Only 75 per cent of countries legally ensure full, equal access to contraception.
• Only about 80 per cent of countries have laws supporting sexual health and well-being.
• Only about 56 per cent of countries have laws and policies supporting comprehensive sexuality education.

The report also documents many other ways that the bodily autonomy of women, men, girls and boys is violated, revealing that:

• Twenty countries or territories have “marry-your-rapist” laws, where a man can escape criminal prosecution if he marries the woman or girl he has raped.
• Forty-three countries have no legislation addressing the issue of marital rape (rape by a spouse).
• More than 30 countries restrict women’s right to move around outside the home.
• Girls and boys with disabilities are nearly three times more likely to be subjected to sexual violence, with girls at the greatest risk.

Possible Reasons'

• Gender inequality and socio-economic factors including child marriage are responsible for power imbalances in relationships that restrict women’s voice for control over her body.
• When education and political participation are key to influence decision making by women, their low level of participation in the political sphere needs to be addressed. 

Key Solutions to "the power to say yes, the right to say no"

The report flagged the need to invest across all programmes and services related to sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health.
The report shows how efforts to address abuses can lead to further violations of bodily autonomy. 

• For example, to prosecute a case of rape, a criminal justice system might require a survivor to undergo an invasive so-called virginity test. Real solutions, the report finds, must take into account the needs and experiences of those affected. 
• In Mongolia, for example, persons with disabilities organized to give direct input to the government about their sexual and reproductive health needs. 
• In Angola, young people educated about their bodies, health and rights have been able to seek health care, use family planning, decline sex and petition for justice after sexual violence.

Road Ahead

• Progress in realising ‘bodily autonomy’ or the right over sexuality, health and reproductive rights will contribute towards fifth SDG on gender equality and other such goals related to promoting health, reducing inequalities and ending poverty.