4. Reproductive rights and ­human rights standards and principles those affected by HIV/AIDS, should be involved in designing and implementing the relevant programmes and plans.9 In his report of 27 February 2007 to the Human Rights Council,10 the Special Rappor9 General Comment No. 3 on HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child from 2003. teur on the rights of indigenous peoples noted the triple discrimination to which indigenous women are often victims (being indigenous, poor and female) and mentioned some examples of the consequences of this, such as substantially higher infant mortality and lower access to medical care during childbirth. These issues must be addressed by states. 10 OHCHR A/HRC/4/32. BOX 8. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND DISABILITIES According to the WHO an estimated 15% of the world’s population, more than 1 billion people, live with a disability.11 Just as is the case for persons without disabilities, persons with disabilities have sexual and reproductive needs and are entitled to have their reproductive rights respected. Most of the barriers to their exercise of their rights stem from the ignorance and attitudes of societies and individuals, including health-care providers, rather than from the actual disabilities. It is frequently assumed that persons with disabilities are not sexually active and therefore have no need for sexual and reproductive health services. This is not the case. Research shows12 that persons with disabilities are as sexually active as persons without ­disabilities. Their ­reproductive rights need to be respected as much as the rights of non-disabled ­persons.13 Nonetheless, persons with disabilities are more often denied information about sexual and reproductive health. They have also been denied the right to decide whether, when and with whom to have a family. Rights of persons with disabilities to access sexual and reproductive health are also connected to development. As mentioned, persons with disabilities make up 15% of the world’s population overall. However, lower-income countries have a higher prevalence of persons with disabilities than higher-income countries. Disability is more common among women, older people, children and adults who are poor. 11 WHO. Disability and Health, Fact Sheet No. 352, (June 2011). 12 WHO and UNFPA. Promoting sexual and reproductive health for persons with disabilities (2009). 13 The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, annexed to United Nations General Assembly resolution 48/96 of 20 December 1993, states in Rule 9, paragraph 2, that “persons with disabilities must not be denied the opportunity to experience their sexuality, have sexual relationships and experience parenthood”. 93