However, some challenges remain, particularly for women, who account for half of the population. The lack of awareness on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights and prevalent gender inequality still hinder women and girls in rural and marginalized communities in the country from enjoying good health and equal opportunities to unlock their full potential.

Fostering public awareness and empowerment should therefore be an integral part of the national strategic inter-sectoral programs on health, education and gender equality, which require active engagement of civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure their sustainability.

In many communities across the country, SRH issues are considered taboo and not openly talked about. Discussions may occur, but they are not designed and conducted with an aim to properly empower individual youths or couples to make informed decisions about how to protect and exercise their own rights and future or to respect the rights of others.

The lack of public awareness on SRH and gender equality also preserves social stigma and discrimination. At the same time peer influence/pressure over sexuality – which nowadays is widely viewed as part of lifestyle among (unmarried) youth and adults – tends to increase, exposing women and girls to various (reproductive) health risks.

Some of the risks may be life-threatening and have long-term impacts in terms of lost opportunities for self-development, such as access to higher education, decent work and careers; limiting their roles and contributions to their families and community.

Failure to address these issues may come at the cost of development.

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