Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) is not an issue of cultural compatibility; according to the Convention to stay in school and marry later, are essential to meeting the Millennium gender on the Rights of the Child (CRC) children have the right to be protected from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, but at the same time they have the right to be provided opportunities for growth and development according to their evolving capacities, and this includes emotional and sexual growth and development as well.
The youth of Uttar Pradesh need access to comprehensive information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights because of the following reasons:
In comparison to previous generations, the onset of puberty occurs at an earlier age for adolescent girls. The lack of knowledge to care for their bodies during menstruation can result in negative reproductive health consequences. It was found that a large proportion of girls were not aware of menstruation when they first experienced it. Most information was imparted to them in the form of restrictions on her behavior and movements. In majority of the cases the young females of Uttar Pradesh were using old cloth during menstruation and in the subsequent periods they were reusing the old cloth. The prevalence of Reproductive Tracts Infections was more than 3 times higher among girls having unsafe menstrual practices.
The youth of Uttar Pradesh need access to comprehensive information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights because of the following reasons:
In comparison to previous generations, the onset of puberty occurs at an earlier age for adolescent girls. The lack of knowledge to care for their bodies during menstruation can result in negative reproductive health consequences. It was found that a large proportion of girls were not aware of menstruation when they first experienced it. Most information was imparted to them in the form of restrictions on her behavior and movements. In majority of the cases the young females of Uttar Pradesh were using old cloth during menstruation and in the subsequent periods they were reusing the old cloth. The prevalence of Reproductive Tracts Infections was more than 3 times higher among girls having unsafe menstrual practices.
The custom of early marriage among adolescent girls is common in Uttar Pradesh, exposing girls to sexual intercourse during their adolescent years. Therefore many girls become pregnant even before reaching the age of 19. Complications of pregnancy such as anemia, low birth rate, spontaneous abortions and eclampsia are significantly higher among adolescent mothers, as is the risk of dying from pregnancy. Research studies have shown that 1 in 5 adolescents give birth by the age 17.2 and that 14.3% of women aged between 15-19 are already mothers or pregnant. As adolescent women are not physically fully developed, pregnancy and motherhood exposes them to acute health risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
There is an increasing rate of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Tract Infections due to unprotected intercourse amongst adolescents. In the state of Uttar Pradesh only 8.7 percent of married women aged 19-49, reported the use of condoms. Estimated number of HIV infected people in India is about 5.1 million and of this over 50% of the newly infected population belongs to the 15-24 year old period. Only 74% of men and 40% of the women in UP have heard of the disease AIDS.
There is an unacceptable prevalence of violent and coercive sexual behavior against adolescents. Child abuse and neglect have known detrimental effects on the physical, mental, psychological, cognitive and behavioral development of children. Over a third of all rape victims belong to the age group below 16 years. Clinical conditions associated with abuse and neglect includes depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and conduct disorders. Child mistreatment also leads to long term societal consequences like low academic performance, drug use, teen pregnancy and adult criminality.
There is an unacceptable prevalence of violent and coercive sexual behavior against adolescents. Child abuse and neglect have known detrimental effects on the physical, mental, psychological, cognitive and behavioral development of children. Over a third of all rape victims belong to the age group below 16 years. Clinical conditions associated with abuse and neglect includes depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and conduct disorders. Child mistreatment also leads to long term societal consequences like low academic performance, drug use, teen pregnancy and adult criminality.
Youth lack the knowledge and resources to plan pregnancies. Adolescents constitute a large percentage of the abortion seeking population. Findings show that adolescents have a low decision making authority as compared to their elders regarding abortion and are thus forced into abortion or face opposition from their families and consequently are more likely to report post-abortion morbidity. UP’s youth(15-24yrs) constitute over one third of the state’s population. So in order to bring about stability in population growth the youth of UP must be made aware of conception and contraception methods. Among married women in UP aged between 15-29, 43.6% reported to have used any method of contraception. At least one half of unmarried women seeking abortions at facilities are adolescents, many of whom are below 15 years of age.
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