Sexual and reproductive health issues still exist in Africa, despite the concerted efforts of governments and nonprofit organizations. In this post, we will highlight some of the challenges women encounter regarding sexual and reproductive health.

Family Planning and Contraception

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• Unmet need for family planning: About 17% of all women in Sub-Saharan Africa and 23% of married or in-union women have an unmet need for family planning. This means they want to delay or stop childbearing but lack access to or don't use effective contraception. (Source: WHO Africa, 2020)
• Modern contraceptive prevalence rate: Only 28% of married or in-union women aged 15-19 in the region use modern family planning methods, and only 52% have their demand for family planning satisfied with current methods. (Source: WHO Africa, 2020)
• Challenges: Limited access to healthcare services, cultural and social stigma around family planning, gender inequality, and misinformation about contraceptives.

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Menstrual Hygiene

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• Lack of access to sanitary products: One in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot afford sanitary products during menstruation. (Source: UNICEF, 2019)
• Poor sanitation facilities: Limited access to clean water and inadequate sanitation facilities in schools and communities hinder proper menstrual hygiene management. (Source: WaterAid, 2020)
• Taboos and stigma: Menstrual hygiene is often surrounded by taboos and stigma, leading to shame, isolation, and missed school days for girls. (Source: UNESCO, 2021)

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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

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• High prevalence: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis are widespread in many African countries. HIV prevalence is also high, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 67% of the global HIV burden. (Source: WHO, 2021)
• Limited access to testing and treatment: Many women lack access to timely STI testing and treatment, leading to complications like infertility and cervical cancer. (Source: UNAIDS, 2021)
• Vulnerability to STIs: Gender inequality, poverty, and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information make women more vulnerable to contracting STIs. (Source: UNFPA, 2020)

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Additional Challenges:

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• Early marriage and childbearing: Early marriage and childbearing increase the risk of maternal and infant mortality, as well as limit girls' educational and economic opportunities. (Source: UNICEF, 2021)
• Gender-based violence: Gender-based violence can negatively impact women's sexual and reproductive health, increasing their risk of STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions. (Source: WHO, 2021)
• Weak legal and policy frameworks: Lack of supportive policies and laws regarding sexual and reproductive health rights can further limit women's access to services and information. (Source: UN Women, 2021)

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At Debbo Africa, our goal is to provide solutions to as many African women as possible regarding sexual and reproductive health. We accomplish this by offering prompt online consultations in addition to in-person therapy and counselling. We are also actively fighting gender-based violence by hosting sensitization campaigns across the continent.

Resources:

• WHO Africa: https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/sexual-and-reproductive-health
• UNFPA: https://www.unfpa.org/
• UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org/
• UNAIDS: https://unaids.org/en

WaterAid: https://www.wateraid.org/us/