The Women of Color Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Program consists of various projects that address the sexual and reproductive health disparities of women of color. To increase awareness and promote dialogue regarding these disparities, IWES created the Reproductive Health Bill of Rights for Women of Color. The Bill of Rights is a declaration of rights and standards surrounding reproductive health that identifies principles of ethics and behavior, taking into account the diversity of women and permitting them to exercise an acceptable level of autonomy regarding decisions affecting their bodies. Within IWES, the principles of the Bill of Rights serve as the foundation for its Women of Color projects. Some of the key principles of the Bill of Rights are as follows:

• The integrity of a woman’s body must be respected and valued. Every woman has the fundamental right to make informed choices about her reproductive and sexual health.
• Reproductive and sexual health is an integral component of the overall health and wellness of women of color and must be integrated within the context of primary health care, so as to improve the total health status of women. This must include full access to accurate, comprehensive education and information about reproductive and sexual health.
• Women of color must be involved in all levels of the development of reproductive and sexual health policies. Such policies must reflect and respect the needs of women from all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• The partners of women of color must be encouraged to share responsibility in the practice of family planning and STD prevention, in order to attain optimal reproductive and sexual health for their families.
• Women of color must have the right to determine their own sexual orientation, expression and behavior, and freedom from discrimination and persecution for such behaviors.
• Women of color have the right to full disclosure of information regarding the risks and benefits of proposed medical treatments and alternatives before consenting to any course of action that might have impact on their reproductive and sexual health.

The Reproductive Health Bill of Rights for Women of Color has been utilized by organizations and individuals worldwide as a resource and tool in community organizing and education. Full copies of the Bill of Rights, including all 20 Principles, are available from IWES.