What does sexual and reproductive health rights mean to young women of the world?

Maria Morena Galvelo, World YWCA Board Member and YWCA of Philippines member
Contraception, sexuality, pregnancy, violence, menstruation, sexually transmitted infections…it can be information overload for young women when discussing sexual and reproductive health rights. We asked young women from around the world to share what sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) means to them.
Maria Morena Galvelo, 30, Philippines (World YWCA Board Member and YWCA of Philippines member)

Sexual reproductive health and rights are integral to our existence as humans. God created us with sexuality that should be treated with respect and free from all forms of discrimination and violence that rob human dignity.

It disturbs me to hear that my fellow Filipino women work abroad and suffer physical and sexual abuse from their foreign employers.

Discrimination, cruelty and violence against young women’s SRHR will continue if no action is taken. Everyone plays a role in changing this– individuals, families, communities and the government that leads the nation.
Andrea Núñez Argote, 24, Mexico (World YWCA Advocacy Intern and YWCA of Naucalpan member)

I first heard about sexual reproductive health and rights during my phone interview for the World YWCA Internship. I wasn't sure what it meant or the difference so I used the Internet to find out.

When young people are unaware of SRHR or what the difference is between them, they can make uninformed choices and be left vulnerable to violations of these rights that they start to accept as normal.

I did not get taught sexual or reproductive health at school. These topics were in our health books but teachers just skipped the subject. Only now I realise how important it is for young people that these issues are addressed. Today, teachers still refuse to teach about sexual health.

In the YWCA of Naucalpan we provide workshops for students to understand and exercise their SRHR in the best possible way. We are filling the gap teachers do not want to fill.
Sita Shahi, 30, Nepal (Srijansil Mahila Samuha, People Living with HIV (PLHA) women’s group)

Sexual reproductive health and rights are important to young people. Due to the lack of education on sexual and reproductive health, many women are becoming infected with HIV. If young women are not informed of their sexual and reproductive health rights, they can engage in risky sexual behaviour which can lead to HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Family, school and society need to talk openly about these issues.

Women who are uninformed of SRHR can become victims of physical and mental violence, early and unplanned pregnancy and HIV.

Young women have a right to live a free life and their SRHR should not be exploited.
Sepora Tagaloa, 22, America Samoa (World YWCA Board member and YWCA of America Samoa member)

I am a young woman that belongs to a conservative culture that labels all things sexual as taboo. I learned about my sexual health when I was prescribed birth control to regulate an irregular cycle. The nurse scoffed at me, presuming I was an out-of-control sexually active teenager. I was 14 years old and unaware of what my body was experiencing. My parents, and schools I attended did not discuss my reproductive health.

I believe sexual education should be included in the education framework of primary schooling. Providing young women with sexual education enables them to make well-informed decisions about their sexual health. Also, providing the entire community with sexual education will generate an open and understanding perspective for the betterment of young women’s social and sexual wellbeing.
Aika Temu, 30, Tanzania (World YWCA Accountant)

Wait until you’re married. Abstain. You will get an STD. Pregnant. No man will want you. He is your husband. You must please him. Condoms are against Gods plans for procreation…a snapshot of the information young women received where I grew up.

No one talked about how to handle advances from men in positions of power, how to negotiate safe sex or the facilities available if you had difficult decisions to make.

So we watched in silence hiding behind guilt, shame, religion, culture and society as women suffered and some died. We have done this for too long.