It's World Health Day 2024 and the theme for this year is, My Health, My Right.
For us at Girl Power Afrique, how does this relate to our primary focus on women's sexual and reproductive health rights?
Sexual and reproductive health of a person involves the general well-being of that person whether physically, emotionally, socially or mentally, concerning their sexuality and reproduction. Just as every aspect of a person's health is important, sexual health is also important. In women, it is critical as it affects their overall functionality.
A lot of progress has been made towards women's sexual health in developed countries. However, in developing countries, some women still suffer some form of marginalization and are at high risk of denial of their human rights. Sexual and reproductive health supports women to maintain a healthy life sexually, have a satisfied sex life, and be free to make choices about reproduction without coercion.
However, to maintain sexual and reproductive health, there should be respect, fulfilment and protection of certain human rights. These rights are called the sexual and reproductive rights.
They are already recognized rights in international and regional human rights documents, consensus documents and national laws. They are based on the recognition of the basic rights of all couples and individuals concerning decision-making involving their sexual
and reproductive lives, and their rights to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.
According to the International Conference on Population and Development, women’s rights to reproductive and sexual health are significant to their health.
These rights include;
● Right to equality and non-discrimination
● Right to be free from torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment
● Right to privacy
● Right to the highest attainable standard of health (including sexual health) and social
security
● Right to marry and to find a family and enter into marriage with the free and full
consent of the intending spouses, and to equality in and at the dissolution of marriage.
● Right to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of one's children
● Right to information, as well as education
● Right to freedom of opinion and expression, and
● Right to an effective remedy for violations of fundamental rights (WHO)
These rights are fundamental as they give women especially, due power to be in total control
of their bodies and decisions regarding their reproductive choices.
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BENEFITS
The advantages associated with sexual and reproductive health rights of women cannot be
overemphasized. They include;
● Aversion of unintended pregnancies among couples and individuals
● Reduction of maternal death
● Reduction in the rate of sexually transmitted diseases
● Prevention of unsafe abortion and reduction in abortion-related deaths.
● It helps women to have more employment opportunities and stay productive
● It helps to reduce poverty
● It helps to improve the economy
● It helps women and girls stay longer in school
● It helps to prevent the rate of teenage pregnancies
FACTORS AFFECTING WOMEN'S RIGHTS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Despite the progress made in upholding women’s rights to sexual health, some still suffer some denial of their rights. This is mostly seen in developing countries where people’s sexuality is influenced by a lot of factors ranging from cultural, religious, social and political.
These factors influence thoughts, beliefs, desires, fantasies, attitudes, sexual orientation, behaviours and practices relating to sexual life.
● POVERTY: Poverty contributes to the infringement of women’s sexual rights. With a lack of money and poor access to quality healthcare services, there is a great barrier to women’s ability to access contraception, maternal care and other essential reproductive health needs.
● CULTURE AND RELIGION
In some parts of the world, there is stigma and discrimination associated with abortion and
contraception. Some religions and cultural beliefs perceive abortion as a sin and abomination.
This however makes it difficult for women in those regions to seek proper care for fear of
being judged. To hide from associated shame, some eventually resort to unsafe
abortion practices like taking random over-the-counter medicines without doctors' prescriptions
or patronizing the services of quacks. These practices pose a danger to their lives and overall well-being.
In some cultural beliefs, women are not in a position to decide when and how to have sex,
more so the number of children they wish to have. The decisions are presumed to be solely
taken by the husbands. Women in these areas are seen as objects in their husbands' possession rather than partners who should be involved in decision-making. Some do not even have the
right to choose their spouses while some automatically inherit spouses following their
husband's demise.
● CHILD MARRIAGE
Early and forced marriage is linked to the violation of human rights. This is more prevalent in
girls than boys. In most child marriages, the child brides often get married to older men. They
have little to no power over decisions concerning sex, contraception and family planning.
They mostly remain vulnerable throughout the marriage and this exposes them to unplanned
pregnancies and different forms of physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
● SEXUAL ORIENTATION
This is one aspect of sexuality that is influenced by different factors. In some regions, there’s
marginalization associated with the choice of sexual orientation. Some countries have even put in place restrictive laws and policies that prohibit some sexual practices like homosexuality and
lesbianism. Infringement of these laws in those regions often leads to consequences such as
imprisonment and possibly death.
● FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
This is a violation of the human rights of women and girls. It involves the alteration of some parts of the female genitalia. According to WHO, this practice does not have any health benefit at all and it poses all kinds of harm to women and girls. It interferes with their body's natural
function and exposes them to health complications.
● DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Violence against women, whether intimate partner violence or sexual violence is an
infringement on women’s human rights. It has become a public health concern because of its
prevalence and associated consequences. It is reported to affect the physical, mental, sexual
and reproductive health of women negatively.
● POOR EDUCATION
Inadequate knowledge affects the protection and fulfilment of sexual rights. Some women are
ignorant of what their basic rights are. The uneducated do not know how to stand up for
themselves and this makes them accept whatever treatment is given to them.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, most women are denied their rights to sexual health at one point in their lives.
Given that the attainment of quality sexual and reproductive health depends on the fulfilment of
sexual rights, there is a need for countries to promote policies, laws and programs that favour
sexual and reproductive health and rights. Education programs should be set up to
educate women on their sexual rights and how to stand up for themselves. These will help to
improve health outcomes for women and girls. Women’s health is their right.
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