SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS OF ADOLESCENCE AND YOUTHS IN KENYA

 As youths and adolescent are among the vulnerable and marginalised groups. They are vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies ,complication arising from unsafe abortion and child birth. They have special health and reproductive needs and if ignored can lead depression and mental health instability.

Adolescent and youths lack easy access to quality friendly services including antenatal, sexual transmitted infections services,safe abortion,lack of confidentiality and skilled attendance during deliver which limit their knowledge of understand on the sexual reproductive health and rights .

Due to such challenge they results into higher rates of maternal and perinatal mortality. They are also subjected to harmful cultural practices which includes female genital mutilation,early forced and child marriages, sexual violence and abuse including coerced sex,incest, defilement and rape through these practices it increase the risk of them contracting HIV/AIDS and sexual transmitted infections diseases.

Generally adolescent and youths lack relevant accurate information on sex,sexuality and reproductive health.

The Government must work towards ensuring that youth friendly ,non discriminatory sexual and reproductive health services including family planning services are widely distributed and readily available and accessible  to all adolescent and youths in Kenya.

The Ministry in charge of health need to ensure that each facility has trained medical personnel in delivery of youth friendly services (YFS).

The Government must implement laws and policies that seek to protect youths and adolescent from sexual violence.

By;

Josephine Mwangecho

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 7, 2021 at 6:54 AM

    I fully support such forums that people and provide leadership skills to them, medical personnel should also be given priority

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo's mitchellJuly 16, 2021 at 11:22 AM

      I agree a lot considering the fact that since covid-19 pandemic priorities of adolescents have been put aside

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 7, 2021 at 6:58 AM

    Adolescents and young people lack the knowledge of early pregnancies empowerment on how to encounter such challenges

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo's mitchellJuly 16, 2021 at 11:24 AM

      True since parents are too busy leaving teachers to do everything. Parents need to empower the adolescent about sex and pregnancies

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 7, 2021 at 7:02 AM

    I also agree with this well articulated article. More initiatives are needed. More youth and adolescent sexual, reproductive and mental services are needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo's mitchellJuly 16, 2021 at 11:28 AM

      100% true and even more youth friendly services are needed.

      Delete

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