As part of the main drivers of the BAM Group of Companies, this being the umbrella company within which Informative Newspaper operates, alongside sister brands Finite
Magazine, Finite Lifestyle Club, Bam Promotions and Twin Talk, Informative Newspaper takes particular interest in social issues and causes created to advance the development of young girls and women and their participation in the global space.
To advance and cement the organization’s support for women and young girls, the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is today, through this issue introduced. Its purpose is to advance knowledge and create further awareness on developments surrounding the said community sector and to help audiences stay updated on such, further guiding means of both action and reaction to these developments.
This week we discuss: Adolescent girls and young Women
In 2015, there were 1.2 billion youth (between the ages of 15 and 24) globally. While the number of young people has stabilised, and is beginning to decline in most parts of the world, the number of young people in Africa is still growing rapidly. In 2015, 226 million youth aged 15-24 lived in Africa, accounting for 19% of the global youth population.
Young people, especially girls and young women, in sub-Saharan Africa face many challenges in exercising their sexual and reproductive rights: girls and young women are at higher risk of HIV and in 2016, global new infections amongst young women between the ages of 15 and 24 were 44% higher than young men of the same age. In Southern and East Africa, young women accounted for 26% of new infections, despite making up just 10% of the population. Girls and young women are also at risk of unwanted, unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion and the health consequences that follow from these.
Approximately 16 million girls between the ages of 15 and 19 and 1 million girls below the age of 15, give birth every year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Three million girls undergo unsafe abortions annually. For more information about contraception and family planning, see factsheet four. For more information about abortion, see factsheet five. Young women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV and their lack of access to SRH is directly linked to gender inequality, harmful gender norms and structures that limit their ability to fully realise their sexual and reproductive rights.
Young women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV and their lack of access to SRH is directly linked to gender inequality, harmful gender norms and structures that limit their ability to fully realise their sexual and reproductive rights.
Adolescence: the WHO defines adolescence as a period of life with specific health and developmental needs and rights. It is also a time to develop knowledge and skills, learn to manage emotions and relationships, and acquire attributes and abilities that will be important for enjoying the adolescent years and assuming adult roles.
Adolescent: the WHO defines an adolescent as someone between the ages of 10 and 19.
Adolescent and youth-friendly health services: these are health services that are both responsive and acceptable to the needs of adolescents and youth, and which are provided in a non-judgmental, confidential and private environment, in times and locations that are convenient for adolescents and youth.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): this refers to provision of age-appropriate, culturally relevant, scientifically accurate, realistic, non-judgmental information about sex and relationships.
Sexuality education provides opportunities to explore one’s own values and attitudes and to build decision-making, communication and risk-reduction skills about many aspects of sexuality.
37 Modern contraceptive methods: the pill, injectable, IUDs, implants, female and male condoms. Traditional contraceptive methods: abstinence (abstaining from sex altogether or abstaining from vaginal sex), withdrawal (removing the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation). These methods do not reliably prevent pregnancy and they cannot prevent STIs.
Unmet need for modern contraception: these are women who want to prevent pregnancy but who do not use contraception or use traditional contraceptive methods.
They may not use contraception for many different reasons: they may not have access to information or the commodities; they may not be able to afford contraception; they may be pressurised by sexual partners or family members not to use contraception and they may coerce into sex without contraception. Young people: the WHO’s definition of young people, people between the ages of 10 and 24, overlaps with its definition of adolescents.
Next, we discuss: International and regional human rights obligations
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