Rwanda: New Research Launched to Tackle Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights: A Report on the ASHER Project

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights remain a pressing and critical topic in today’s world. As young individuals navigate the complexities of adolescence, it is crucial to understand and address their distinct sexual and reproductive health requirements.

The ASHER Project: Identifying Success Stories for Sustainable Development

During a side event of the Women Deliver conference held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel on July 19, a groundbreaking research project was launched. Named the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Exemplars project (ASHER), the research will be conducted in six countries: Rwanda, Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, India, and Nepal.

1. Jen Kidwell Drake, Women’s Health Lead at Exemplars in Global Health, explained that the goal of ASHER is to identify and highlight the success stories that have not been fully documented, explored, and understood in the selected countries.

Collaboration and Progress in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Drake emphasized their collaboration with local experts to comprehend how progress was achieved, with the intent of sharing these insights across other countries to collectively make strides in adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

1. The initial step involved identifying countries that had achieved a significant reduction in adolescent fertility beyond the expected average. They then conducted in-depth studies on these specific countries, including Rwanda, to capture valuable insights and share them.

Rwanda’s Success and Challenges

Explaining the selection of Rwanda, Drake pointed out that the country already boasted a relatively low adolescent fertility rate compared to many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers also examined Rwanda’s primary healthcare and under-5 mortality rates, which stood out positively.

1. Regarding the impact on Rwanda, she highlighted the persisting challenges related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. She added that the study’s findings would guide Rwanda in taking necessary steps and sustaining the current progress, propelling the nation in the right direction.

Sharing Findings for Global Progress

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to present their findings on a global stage, tentatively scheduled for June 2024.

Rwanda’s Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre Supports Research

Speaking during the event, Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre, expressed excitement about the research showcasing Rwanda’s success. He emphasized the significance of sharing experiences, lessons learned, and challenges with other countries to support decision-making and policymaking.

Improving Young People’s Health Services for a Better Future

He said that the research findings would help provide young people with the necessary health services to help them reach their full potential, leading to happier, healthier, and more prosperous families, communities, and societies.

Understanding Adolescent Perceptions and Experiences

Eugene Rutayisire, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda and ASHER lead in Rwanda, outlined that the research aims to understand the perceptions and experiences of young people regarding the services available to them.

1. Rutayisire emphasized that it will assist Rwanda by documenting and analyzing the services offered to adolescents, including family planning, awareness, utilization, as well as their impact.

Filling the Research Gap for Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health

The research project specifically targets adolescents aged 10 to 24, and according to Rutayisire, this age group has been relatively under-researched in terms of their sexual and reproductive health issues.

1. He further noted that the research will involve interviews with adolescents from ten selected districts across the country to gather data and insights.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the importance of addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights, which is directly related to SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being. It also mentions the challenges related to gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies, highlighting the connection to SDG 5 on Gender Equality. The focus on understanding the experiences and perceptions of young people and the need for collaboration with local experts aligns with SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities. Lastly, the collaboration between different countries and the aim to share insights and support decision-making and policymaking reflects SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.
• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 3.7 under SDG 3, Target 5.2 under SDG 5, Target 10.3 under SDG 10, and Target 17.16 under SDG 17.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
• Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
• Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress: Indicator 3.7.1 for Target 3.7, Indicator 5.2.1 for Target 5.2, Indicator 10.3.1 for Target 10.3, and Indicator 17.16.1 for Target 17.16.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: allafrica.com

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