A/HRC/33/24 I. Introduction 1. The technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes for the reduction of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity (A/HRC/21/22 and Corr.1 and 2), requested by the Human Rights Council in resolution 18/2, was presented to the Council in September 2012. Following a first report on implementation (A/HRC/27/20) in September 2014, the Council, in resolution 27/11, urged all States to take action at all levels, utilizing a comprehensive human rights-based approach, to address the interlinked root causes of maternal mortality and morbidity and to consider the recommendations contained in the report. It further requested the High Commissioner to prepare a follow-up report on how the technical guidance has been applied by States and other relevant actors. The present report is submitted in accordance with that request. 2. The present report provides details of various activities and initiatives related to the implementation of the technical guidance. A note verbale was circulated on 11 December 2015 requesting submissions1 and further information was obtained from relevant stakeholders via interviews, reports and correspondence. The emphasis has been placed on activities where explicit attention is given to the implementation of the technical guidance. Further examples referring more broadly to a rights-based approach have also been used for illustrative purposes. 3. In 2014, technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce and eliminate preventable mortality and morbidity of children under 5 years of age was presented to the Council, and its implementation was also urged by the Council. Some of the activities detailed in the present report also drew from that important document. A separate report on implementation of that technical guidance document is also before the Council at the thirtythird session (A/HRC/33/23). 4. The second part of the present report is devoted to how the guidance can be utilized in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Women’s human rights, including their sexual and reproductive health and rights, are a key aspect of the 2030 Agenda. As countries develop strategies and plans to implement the 2030 Agenda, the technical guidance is a tool for assuring compliance with human rights obligations. The present report offers initial recommendations on such usage of the technical guidance. II. Dissemination and promotion activities 5. Since June 2014, efforts to ensure wide dissemination of the technical guidance have continued. At the global level, numerous publications and other documents have referred to the technical guidance.2 Its dissemination has also been achieved through presentations or 1 2 For the full list of submissions, see www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/WRGS/Pages/FollowUpReport.aspx. See WHO, “Ensuring human rights in the provision of contraceptive information and services” (2014); UNFPA, “From commitment to action on sexual and reproductive health and rights” (2014); WHO, “Strengthening the inclusion of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health in concept notes to the Global Fund” (2014); WHO, statement on the prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during facility-based childbirth (2014); Alicia Ely Yamin, Power, Suffering, and the Struggle for Dignity: Human Rights Frameworks for Health and Why They Matter (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015). 3