The objective behind observing this day is to raise awareness regarding sexual and reproductive health issues and to inform the masses about minimizing the spreading of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Sexually transmitted diseases/infections are still one of the major public health issues.
Observing the healthcare days and conducting health awareness events help in generating publicity for health concerns and aspires to augment the condition and guides in saving lives. These events can also encourage preventative measures against serious issues.
What is sexual health?
Sexual health consists of many inter-related issues and challenges. The major concerns are human rights associated with sexual health, sexual pleasure, sexual contentment, arousal and STDs (HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)), sexual violence, sexual unfitness, female genital mutilation and mental health associated with sexual health.
What is reproductive health?
Reproductive health concerns with the ability of people to have a culpable, satisfying and protected sexual life and having the capability to reproduce and the liberty to decide if, when and how often to do so.
Sound reproductive health is important to ensure that each child born is wanted and people can enjoy their sexual life according to their free will and have freedom regarding the decision to reproduce. This is especially beneficial for women as it ensures that every woman is treated with respect and dignity.
Unquestionably, the vision of this initiative is that both the genders will have the ability to use their right to information and get their hands on safe, economical and admissible methods of fertility regulation & quality health services.
Mostly the poor women in the developing nations suffer from unwanted pregnancy, maternal death, STIs, HIV, sexual violence and issues with reproductive system and sexual conduct.
A sketch of sexual and reproductive health in India:
India currently deals with several reproductive health issues which are to be resolved.
- High unintended fertility: Around 21% pregnancies are not desired for or mistimed, according to National Family Health Survey (NFHS) III, 2005-2006. Participation of males in shouldering the responsibility for contraception is less. According to NFHS –III, male sterilization was agreed to by only 1% of the married couples.
- High mortal fatality: According to the 2008 UN estimates, India’s mortality fatality ratio is very high, at 230 per 100,000 live births. Indian women contribute to 18% of global maternal deaths. The gathered data also signifies a noticeable proportion of women suffering from obstetric morbidities.
- STDs & Reproductive tract infections: People falling between the age group of 15-50, the prevalence of STDs, STIs and reproductive tract infections is around 6%, according to nationwide community-based studies. The problem worsens as the women are hanging back in seeking proper treatment for the symptoms.
State of Indian women related to sexual and reproductive awareness and condition:
Many women have admitted to inappropriate or not likeable sexual conduct and lack of knowledge on various contraceptive measures. Women are unaware of their sexual and reproductive rights to and nearly 60% women admitted that they had little to no say in terms of having a child.
As per a survey, around 39% women of age group 15-24 knew that use of condoms minimizes the risk of HIV/AIDS and nearly 49% knew that an infected partner puts the other one at the risk of STDs. But only 20% women had absolute knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
Among the married women of age group 15-19, only about 40% admitted to having a say in their healthcare decisions and had either full control or made joint decisions, the rest 60% had no control over their healthcare.
In such a state it becomes important to make them aware of their sexual and reproductive rights and making them learn to raise a voice against any sexual or reproductive action against their will.
Every person has the right to live their sexual and reproductive life according to his/her own will. A woman can deny pregnancy if she wishes to and her sexual desires are strictly her own and no forced sexual obligations can be put on her.
Government's initiatives:
India became the first country in the world to adopt a family planning program, in 1951. Post International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994), Indian government revised the population control program and formulated suitable policies. It launched National Population Policy in 2000, National Rural Health Mission & Child Healthcare Program II in 2005.
To evict the social evil of child marriage, the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2006 has set the legal age to marry for women and men, 18 & 21 respectively.
Turacoz Healthcare Solutions believes that it is very important to create sexual and reproductive awareness among people as this will improve the mental, physical and social well-being of the individuals. It is very important for a person to know his/her sexual and reproductive rights and he/she should avail full freedom of taking the decision related to reproduction and sexual conduct.
Turacoz is a medical communication company offering medical writing services and it believes in the concept of perfection, people and planet. To know more about Turacoz’s services, you can get in touch by dropping a mail at hello@turaocz.in
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