Author: Dr. Gaganpreet Kaur
Women's health matters! Every year on May 28th, the world meets to observe the International Day of Action for Women's Health. Women are subjected to various bodily changes right from birth. Women are uncomfortable expressing their reproductive health issues due to the societal stigmas around them. That's why we consider the International Call for Action on Women's Health an opportunity to talk about the health concerns that women face in their everyday lives.
Let’s view the Causes and Consequences of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Violations.
# | Causes | Consequences |
---|---|---|
1 | Restricted access to contraception, abortion, and prenatal care | Unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, high maternal mortality and morbidity |
2 | Gender inequality, prioritizing men's roles and contributions over women's | Limited women's access to education, employment opportunities, and decision-making processes |
3 | Early marriage and pregnancy | Early marriage deprives girls of autonomy and education, leading to early and repeated pregnancies |
There are national initiatives striving to protect the sexual and reproductive health of woman.
What Steps can be Taken to Ensure Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)?
Strategy | Objective |
---|---|
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) | Implementing age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based sexuality education programs in schools and communities |
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies | Create immersive and interactive learning experiences for menstrual health education. |
Access to Contraception and Family Planning Services | Ensuring affordable, accessible contraception and family planning services allows individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health and prevent unintended pregnancies. |
Safe and Legal Abortion Services | Ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services can protect individuals' reproductive rights and prevent unsafe abortion practices that endanger health and lives. |
Intersectoral Collaboration | Strengthening sexual and reproductive health services requires collaboration across various sectors, including health, education, and transportation, to ensure accessibility and support throughout the life cycle. |
Need for Targeted Investment | Targeted investment in adolescent sexual and reproductive health is critical for reducing unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, unplanned deliveries, and maternal mortality, as well as safeguarding young people’s bodily autonomy and well-being. |