The SRI works at the UN Universal Periodic Review by collaborating with national and regional organisations and coalitions on stakeholder submissions. These submissions touch on a number of different sexual and reproductive health and rights issues affecting the country under review, such as abortion, sex work, access to contraception, and rights related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.

The UPR provides an opportunity for civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage in advocacy at the United Nations. CSOs can submit stakeholder submissions advocating for improved human rights conditions in their country, including on issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

 

The Universal Periodic Review: A Powerful Tool for Advancing Sexual Rights

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights trends at the Universal Periodic Review

 

Our Work at the UPR

HRC Statements
Here’s What to Expect at HRC 59
The 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from 16 June to 9 July 2025. Once again, the session will not be hybrid because of the absence of a mandate from the General Assembly to retain remote participation. This will not affect pre-recorded statements at all debates, panels and discussions, as well as the webcasting on UN Web TV of the public meetings scheduled in the Programme of Work.
UPR Submissions 50th session
The 50th session of the Universal Periodic Review will take place from 03 November to 14 November 2025. 14 Countries are under review during the session: Belarus, Liberia, Malawi, Mongolia, Panama, Maldives, Andorra, Bulgaria, Honduras, the United States of America, the Marshall Islands, Croatia, Jamaica and Libya. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Malawi and the United States of America.
HRC 58: Joint Statement on the adoption of the UPR of Ethiopia
While progress has been made, significant gaps remain in ensuring equitable access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services. Many adolescents and young people, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, continue to face barriers such as inadequate health infrastructure, shortages of trained healthcare providers, and financial constraints that prevent them from accessing essential services.
HRC 58: Gender Alliance for Development Center and SRI Statement on the UPR Adoption of Albania
Despite policy advancements in Albania, significant gaps remain in the protection and support of workers, particularly women in rural areas. Labour rights violations persist, especially for women who face systemic barriers to employment and economic security. Whilst the government adopted the National Strategy for Employment and Skills (2023–2030), rural women remain disproportionately excluded from the workforce​. Limited access to childcare, a lack of vocational training, and deep-rooted gender norms restrict their participation, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and economic dependence.
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Recent submissions

HRC Statements
UPR Submissions 50th session
The 50th session of the Universal Periodic Review will take place from 03 November to 14 November 2025. 14 Countries are under review during the session: Belarus, Liberia, Malawi, Mongolia, Panama, Maldives, Andorra, Bulgaria, Honduras, the United States of America, the Marshall Islands, Croatia, Jamaica and Libya. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Malawi and the United States of America.
UPR Submissions - 49th session
The 49th session of the Universal Periodic will take place from 28 April to 09 May 2025. 14 Countries are under review during the session: Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Guinea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Spain, Lesotho, Kenya, Armenia, Guinea-Bissau, Sweden, Grenada, Türkiye, Guyana and Kuwait. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Armenia, Sweden and Kenya.
UPR Submissions - 48th session

The 48th session of the Universal Periodic will take place from 20 to 31 January 2025. 14 Countries are under review during the session: Italy, the Gambia, Fiji, Kazakhstan, Iran, El Salvador, Bolivia, San Marino, Angola, Madagascar, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Egypt. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Angola and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

UPR Submissions - 47th session
The 47th session of the Universal Periodic will take place from 4 to 15 November 2024. 14 Countries are under review during the session: Norway, Albania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugual, Bhutan, Dominica, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Brunei Darussalam, Costa Rics, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Qatar and Nicaragua. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bhutan and Albania.
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UPR Database

UPR Database

The UPR Database, a project of the SRI, allows you to access and search all the sexual rights related recommendations and references made during the Universal Periodic Review.

Consult the database.

 

What is the Universal Periodic Review?

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is an intergovernmental process in which each of the 193 UN Member States is reviewed on their entire human rights record every four and a half years. The UPR highlights actions that countries need to take to fulfil their agreed human rights obligations—these actions are presented as recommendations that states must accept or note.

Explainer on Terminology

  • Accepted Recommendation: The state under review agrees to implement the recommendation
  • Deferred Recommendation: The state under review will announce in [later] if it agrees to implement the recommendation
  • Noted Recommendation: The state under review does not agree to implement the recommendation

To learn more about the Universal Periodic Review, please visit its website or watch this video produced by UPR-Info.