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Poor sexual and reproductive health creates a huge health burden across the developing world. Cultural sensitivities and traditions around sex, inadequate family planning services and a lack of access to those services, mean that millions are missing out on the advice and information they desperately need.
For social and cultural reasons many women – in and out of marriage – do not have the power to decide whether or not to have sex and whether or not to use contraception. Many are also subject to sexual violence or coercion.
Even where sexual and reproductive health services exist, in many places women may need a man’s permission, and perhaps money, to go to the clinic. And with more limited access to education, women are also more likely to be illiterate and so less able to access health information.
The consequence is often unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, or unsafe abortions – all with further negative consequences. Traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, unsafe abortion practices and child marriages also put millions of women and girls at risk each year.
Adequate and accessible family planning services could help millions of women avoid the trauma of an unwanted pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection, cut maternal mortality and enable women to make informed choices
Health Poverty Action says:
- Funding for sexual and reproductive health services must be dramatically increased, with services targeted at the groups most affected – women and adolescents.
- There is a need to educate men about the fact that sexual and reproductive health issues affect them as well as women, and to increase their own access to information and services.
- It is vital that people get culturally appropriate information in their own language, free from discrimination. Information must also be provided for people who cannot read.
- Improving access to health systems will mean addressing the cost of medical fees and the time required to travel to a health centre – both of which can be prohibitive.
- National, regional and local projects are needed to break down the stigma around sex and encourage people to get advice on sensitive issues.
- More adolescent-friendly health services are urgently needed to provide appropriate information and break down gender stereotypes.
- Strong national health systems with health outposts serving remote communities are vital to ensure equal access for marginalised groups.
- Governments must take stronger and swifter action to end the violence against women, which creates unwanted pregnancies and spreads sexually transmitted infections.
- Governments should guarantee in law, and through action, the sexual and reproductive health rights of all their citizens – to help improve the social and economic status of women. Without this, any drive to improve sexual and reproductive health will have little hope of bringing lasting change.
What is Health Poverty Action doing to help?
Drama and cultural activities can be very successful in tackling the taboos around sensitive issues like sex. Health Unlimited programmes around the world help to spread safe sex messages – from hugely popular national radio soap operas and phone-in sessions, to magazine columns, story telling, community theatre, quiz shows and role-plays. We also train youth group representatives to increase awareness of how HIV and sexually transmitted infections are transmitted, and help distribute affordable contraceptives.
