About Us

About Us

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) is the only global organisation linked to a scientific, highly reputed journal in the field of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) that provides an independent voice, has a long-time, trusted reputation, and offers space to a truly global network of researchers, policy makers, programme managers, lawyers and activists in the field of SRH.

Our mission is shaped by the understanding that rights- and evidence-based knowledge is power.

SRHM’s ever-growing community of researchers, activists and other experts contributes to shift ideology and power-driven politics that are hostile to people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) towards human rights and social justice in SRHR policies and programmes. SRHM’s core tenet is that sound, evidence-based and rights-grounded knowledge is of critical importance to the decisions to be made and the actions to be taken to improve SRHR.

Reproductive Health Matters (RHM) (SRHM from 2019) was established and started publishing its journal nearly 30 years ago.

Since then, hundreds of thousands have placed their trust in SRHM’s fearless approach to the critical issues affecting people’s SRHR, wherever they are. They have confidence in SRHM’s independent voice, scientific rigour, explicit attention to sexual and reproductive justice, and unique approach to articulating and expanding the understanding of how sexual and reproductive health and human rights are inextricably interlinked.

VISION

A world where sexual and reproductive health and rights are respected, protected and fulfilled and where sexual and reproductive health-related laws, policies, health systems and practices are based on human rights and social justice and the needs of all people without discrimination and violence.

MISSION

To advance the creation and dissemination of sexual and reproductive health knowledge that is grounded in human rights and based on credible evidence, and to facilitate the transformation of such knowledge into action for improved sexual and reproductive health and rights.

HISTORY

In October 1992, a group of women’s health advocates from different parts of the world met in London to discuss the need for a feminist approach to family planning and population policy. This meeting was precipitated by controversy during a women’s rights conference in 1990 in New York, in a session called, “Is a feminist population policy possible?”. The group recognised the need for a platform to publish research that put women’s needs in the centre and allowed women to voice their experiences and views. That meeting in London was the foundation of Reproductive Health Matters (RHM) journal.

With evolution in the field and a range of SRHR issues emerging, we expanded our scope to address universal SRHR for women, men and transgender people regardless of age or sexual orientation.

In 2019, Reproductive Health Matters changed its name to Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM). Founding Director and Editor, Marge Berer, led RHM since its inception until 2015 when she handed over responsibilities to Shirin Heidari. In 2018 Shirin handed over her responsibilities to Dr. Julia Hussein as Editor-in-Chief and Eszter Kismodi as Chief Executive. In 2020, after Julia announced her retirement, Dr. Emma Pitchforth took over the role of Executive Editor.