Annex 1 General ­Recommendation Provisions related to Reproductive Rights Paragraph 21 lists among the barriers ”that women face in ­gaining access to health care services … requirements or conditions that prejudice women’s access such as high fees for health care services, the requirement for preliminary authorization by spouse, parent or hospital authorities, distance from health facilities and absence of convenient and affordable public transport”. In Paragraph 22, the Committee stresses, “Acceptable services are those which are delivered in a way that ensures that a woman gives her fully informed consent, respects her dignity, guarantees her confi dentiality and is sensitive to her needs and perspectives. States parties should not permit forms of coercion, such as non-consensual sterilization, mandatory testing for sexually transmitted diseases or mandatory pregnancy testing as a condition of employment that violate women’s rights to informed consent and dignity”. Paragraph 23 further underlines the duty to provide “timely access to the range of services which are related to family p ­ lanning, in particular, and to sexual and reproductive health in general. ­Particular attention should be paid to the health education of ­adolescents, including information and counselling on all methods of family planning.” On older women, the Committee says in Paragraph 24, “States parties should take appropriate measures to ensure the access of older women to health services that address the handicaps and disabilities associated with ageing.” 145