On January 15th, 2003, the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy changed its name to the Center for Reproductive Rights. Learn more about our name change below, or click here to read the press release.

Why the name change to the Center for Reproductive Rights?

As we have grown and evolved as a successful organization in the reproductive rights arena, we recognized the importance of focusing on the goals we are seeking to achieve (rights) - not just on the tools we use to attain them (laws and policies). By changing our name to the "Center for Reproductive Rights," we call attention to the very goal we seek to achieve - women's rights to reproductive health and choices - rather than the means we use to secure those rights. The new name shifts the focus to our aspirations - and the aspirations of billions of women and men around the world, who seek to determine the course of their own lives and lives of their families.

Reproductive rights, the foundation for women's self-determination over their bodies and sexual lives, are critical to women's equality and to ensuring global progress towards just and democratic societies. They are fundamental human rights that cannot be denied in the name of religion, culture or politics. Our new name focuses on those rights - and the aspirations associated with them.

The name change does not alter the way in which the Center functions nor does it change the mission that has driven us for the past 10 years. We will continue to pursue legal remedies in the courts, the legislatures, and other bodies to promote and defend the reproductive rights of women worldwide.

Reproductive rights, the foundation for women's self-determination over their bodies and sexual lives, are critical to women's equality and to ensuring global progress toward just and democratic societies. These rights include:

• The right to a full range of safe and affordable contraception
• The right to safe, accessible and legal abortion
• The right to safe and healthy pregnancies
• The right to comprehensive reproductive health care services provided free of discrimination, coercion and violence
• The right to equal access to reproductive health care for women facing social and economic barriers
• The right to be free from practices that harm women and girls (such as female genital mutilation)
• The right to a private and confidential doctor-patient relationship