1. INTRODUCTION This is a Compendium or guideline on the application of laws to address cases relating to Reproductive Rights (RR) and Gender Based Violence (GBV). It compiles laws and regulations on the subject, which can be used or impact in various situations where there is a link between Reproductive Rights and Gender Based Violence. a) Reproductive Health For the People All countries in the world have over a period of time, commencing with the adoption of the United Nations Charter, recognized that it is the obligation of member states to realize high standards of sexual and reproductive health for their people. Internationally accepted policy documents like the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) (1995) and the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs (2000) as modified by the World Summit (2005) clarify the goals and standards that all countries should aspire to achieve. These policy documents reflect the ideas incorporated in the Programme of Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994. 179 governments including Sri Lanka agreed at ICPD that everyone must be able to achieve the best in access to reproductive health care. In September 2015 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new agenda for Sustainable Development described as a “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.” (A/RES/70/I Preamble). Gender Equality and human rights are recognised as key to achieving economic, social and environmental progress in the 2030 agenda of sustainable development. The agenda sets goals and targets to encourage global action in the next 15 years. The institutional arrangements that have been developed provide for systematic and regular progress reviews and reporting, involving states, civil society, the private sector and UN agencies. The goals and targets in this agenda focus on responding to inequalities and working to achieve peaceful and inclusive environments in countries, eliminating disparities which are recognised as hindering sustainable development. Seventeen goals have been adopted, and while gender equality is a distinct Goal (5) several others in the areas of poverty (Goal 1), health, education and employment (Goals 3, 4, 8) reinforce the goal of achieving gender equality and impacting to improve women’s lives. Goal 10 on “reducing inequality” and Goal 16 on “promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and institutions with access to justice for all,” can be also interpreted to reinforce Goal 5 on gender equality, including in relation to transitional justice and eliminating gender based discrimination that infringes the human rights of women. National Constitutions, multilateral treaties and principles of customary International law are therefore relevant to the implementation of the SDGs. The linkages between achieving gender equality and other goals and targets is recognised in specific language in the Declaration accompanying the new SDG agenda. This also uses the familiar and yet neglected concept of “gender mainstreaming.” (Paragraph 20) The elimination of violence against women and girls is referred to, in the Declaration, including through the engagement and contribution of men and boys (paragraph 20). These ideas are not new, and reflect the conceptual thinking in past international and national initiatives. However their reiteration in the SDGs COMPENDIUM ON LAW, GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS 01