Sexual Reproductive Health Rights is the exercise of control over one’s sexual and reproductive health linked to human rights and includes rights to; reproductive health as a component of overall health throughout life cycle for both men and women; reproductive health decision making including voluntary choice in marriage , family formation, this include rights to access information and means needed to exercise voluntary choices; Equality and equity for men and women to enable them make free and informed choices in all spheres of life, free from discrimination; sexual and reproductive health security, including freedom from sexual violence and coercion and the right to privacy.
According to the National AIDS Control Council, AIDS is the leading cause of death and morbidity among adolescents and young people in Kenya. Approximately 29% of all new HIV infections in Kenya are among adolescents and young people. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014 on the other hand reveals that many young Kenyans aged between 15 and 18 years are becoming parents. 3 out of 100 girls are already child-bearing by age 15, rising to 40 out of 100 girls by age 19.
This is usually attributed to lack of youth friendly health facilities. This includes prejudgment by health providers; lack of privacy and confidentiality; high cost of accessing these services; language barrier; and fear of stigmatization. Hence, most health centers which serve the entire community, in addition to adolescents and young people, must take extra steps to ensure confidentiality for young people. These steps can include measures such as additional staff trainings, treat patients with respect, use of confidential codes, and when possible, separate waiting rooms for young people.
Respectful treatment is critical as adolescent are particularly sensitive to rude, judgmental, or overbearing attitudes and behaviors on the part of adults. In fact, such attitudes and behaviors can cause adolescents to: a) Leave the health center before they get the care they need; b) Fail to comply with treatment requirement such as taking medicine on time; and c) Refuse or forget follow-up care.
Youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services therefore include access to accurate information and the safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception method of their choice. This also includes the process of making sure that that the youth are informed and empowered to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. Hence investing in youth friendly services is key in helping youths to fight back, in addition to help in reducing teenage pregnancy and HIV infection rates among young people, it will also contribute in improving maternal and newborn health as well as reducing the need for procuring unsafe abortions.
In conclusion, Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons, including the key population, must therefore be respected, protected and fulfilled.