UN special programme for research on sexual and reproductive health celebrates 50 years

Established in 1972, HRP is the main instrument within the United Nations system for research in human reproduction and brings together scientists, researchers, health care providers, clinicians, policy-makers, consumers and community representatives to identify and address priorities for research to improve health. The special programme has generated evidence and informed guidelines that now impact countless lives around the world.

“What is amazing about HRP is that Member States had the foresight 50 years ago to set it up, giving the space to be able to do research on critical issues like contraceptive methods, abortion guidelines, gender-based violence, postpartum haemorrhage, safe motherhood, self-care interventions and digital technologies,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of HRP and Sexual Reproductive Health and Research at WHO in a special film. “HRP is also a powerful example of how we are stronger when we work together. As a co-sponsored programme involving UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank, we have a unique mandate to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, across – and far beyond – the UN.”

Housed within WHO’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, HRP supports and coordinates research on a global scale, synthesizes research through systematic reviews of literature, builds research capacity in low-income countries and develops dissemination tools to make efficient use of ever-increasing research information.

A timeline of HRP’s achievements throughout the years showcases the many pivotal contributions HRP has made to science and healthcare. These include:

• 1978 – a large ten-year HRP study provided evidence on the safety of oral contraceptives;
• 1980 – HRP published the first WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen – for investigating male fertility issues – which is now in its sixth edition;
• 1998 – HRP confirmed the effectiveness of emergency contraception. This results in changes in regulations in many countries as well as its inclusion in the WHO’s list of essential medicines;
• 2003 – HRP evidence resulted in the first-ever WHO guideline on abortion, supporting provision of quality health services for women and girls;
• 2010 – HRP’s work on the Kesho Bora Study showed a combination of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy prevent perinatal transmission of HIV;
• 2020 – The HRP Outbreak Working Group (established 2016) continues to explore the impact of pandemics (including Ebola, Zika, COVID-19 and Mpox) on sexual and reproductive health – including issues relating to pregnancy. The Group contributes to WHO research and guidelines;
• 2023 – HRP published the report ‘Infertility Prevalence Estimates: 1990-2021’, the first report of its kind in over a decade, highlighting the importance of fertility care for millions around the world.

“We’re looking to a future where talking about sexual health is not a taboo, is not stigmatized, is not considered inappropriate for any culture,” Dr Allotey added. “Sexual and reproductive health should be considered part of an essential universal health coverage package. Health is political and sexual and reproductive health is political, but with robust evidence, we can show why these issues are critical to health outcomes around the world.”

“For 50 years, the Human Reproduction Programme has played an invaluable role in promoting and protecting access to services for sexual and reproductive health. Its role is now more important than ever,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “WHO is proud of what we have achieved together in the past 50 years, and we remain steadfastly committed to working with you in the years ahead.”

As part of this commemoration, HRP is also proud to announce the launch of the first gallery of photographs in the WHO Photo Library representing sexual and reproductive health and rights, accessible here. The initial collection comes from photography missions in Nepal, Moldova, Pakistan, and Sierra Leone, with an emphasis on safe abortion care, family planning and access to SRHR throughout the life course.