Participation in sexual and reproductive well-being and rights

As part of the special 50th issue of PLA Notes, this article reaffirms the fundamental value of participatory work in supporting people to gain the confidence and capacity to change their realities. The authors explore these issues through the perspective of sexual and reproductive well-being and rights, looking at lessons learnt and exploring ways in which practitioners are addressing the new challenges thrown up in changing environments. The key issues addressed in the article are participatory HIV prevention and case work in a time of crisis; sexuality, poverty and development; participation, sexuality and gender; and whose agenda counts in participatory planning. The authors conclude by looking at new directions and possibilities for sexual health and well-being, focusing on the potential of a rights-based approach to think about the importance of enabling everyone to enjoy the right to make their own sexual and reproductive choices, the right to safe and satisfying sexual relationships and the right to choose when and whether to have children. The challenge ahead appears to be how to use participatory methodologies to bring about the transformations in practice that can really begin to enable women and men to realize their sexual and reproductive rights. Recognising that participatory approaches need to be used sensitively and used well, such approaches can be a powerful weapon in the struggle for rights.