UNIVERSAL ACCESS to reproductive health is key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. MDG 5, “Improve Maternal Health,” particularly target 5b, “Achieve Universal Access to Reproductive Health,” is the most off-track of all MDGs, even though the critical importance of reproductive health to development has been widely acknowledged. Universal access to reproductive health is the key to:

• reducing maternal mortality
• preventing unwanted pregnancies
• curbing the spread of sexuality transmitted infections, including HIV, and AIDS
• empowering women and girls
• building a more sustainable world for all people