About us
The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR)
The vision of WHO/RHR is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of sexual and reproductive health. It strives for a world where all women’s and men’s rights to enjoy sexual and reproductive health are promoted and protected, and all women and men, including adolescents and those who are underserved or marginalized, have access to sexual and reproductive health information and services.
WHO/RHR’s work is premised on the need to achieve access to and quality of sexual and reproductive health, in order to meet the needs of diverse populations, particularly the most vulnerable. It is shaped around the five components of WHO’s Global reproductive health strategy:
- improving antenatal, perinatal, postpartum and newborn care;
- providing high-quality services for family planning, including infertility services;
- eliminating unsafe abortion;
- combating sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, reproductive tract infections, cervical cancer and other sexual and reproductive health morbidities;
- promoting sexual health.
Special programme of research (HRP*)
* UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special programme of research, development and research training in human reproduction (HRP)
HRP was established in 1972 by WHO. In 1988, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and The World Bank joined WHO as the Programme’s cosponsors. The four cosponsoring agencies, together with the major financial contributors and other interested parties, make up the Programme’s governing body, the Policy and Coordination Committee (PCC), which sets policy, assesses progress, and reviews and approves the Programme’s budget and programme of work. Administratively, HRP is the research arm of WHO/RHR.
Broad strategic technical advice on the Programme’s work is provided by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG). In 1999, STAG assumed the responsibility for reviewing, and advising on, the work of the whole Department.
Regional Advisory Panels (RAP) monitor and evaluate the work in their respective geographical regions. At an annual meeting, progress is reviewed and evaluated, and joint plans for the coming year are made for headquarters and for each region.
The Research Project Review Panel (RP2) reviews all HRP projects involving human subjects and research in animals and contributes to ethical debate on matters relating to sexual and reproductive health.
The Toxicology Panel is a complementary review body to the RP2. It provides expertise in the evaluation of pharmacokinetic, metabolic, endocrinological, toxicological, teratogenicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity studies of drugs or devices developed or studied by HRP or referred to it for advice. In addition, the Programme has several strategic review committees and specialist panels that advise on detailed research strategies.
