This document provides an introduction to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). It defines SRHR as the complete physical, mental, and social well-being in matters related to sexuality and reproduction, based on equality, dignity, and mutual respect. Key terms are also defined, including sexuality, reproduction, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The document notes that Africa has a large youth population and many Malawian youth face SRHR challenges. Finally, it lists several potential SRHR advocacy issues and asks the reader to identify the top 3 issues in their district and at the national level.

1. INTRODUCTION TO SRHR

2. WHAT IS SRHR?
IN YOUR OWN WORDS, WHAT IS SRHR?

3. SRHR
 The complete physical, mental and social wellbeing in all matter related to a person’s sexuality and
reproductive system, and the freedoms and protections that are necessary to guarantee this state of
wellbeing, which must be based on equality, dignity and mutual respect.
 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): this term encompasses the human right of all
individuals to make decisions concerning their own sexuality and reproductive well-being, on condition
these decisions do not infringe on the rights of others. It includes four components, each critical to the
other: sexual health, reproductive health, sexual rights, and reproductive rights.

4. KEY SRHR TERMS
 Sexuality: refers to the way people experience and express themselves as sexual beings from birth to death.
This includes biological, erotic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual feelings, attraction and behaviour and
gender identities. Although sexuality is usually experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires,
beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices, roles, and relationships, not all these dimensions are always
expressed. Sexuality can include reproductive desires, but many expressions of sexuality are not directly aimed
at reproduction.
 Reproduction: The production of an offspring by sexual or asexual processes.
 Gender: is a socially constructed definition of women and men. It is not the same as sex (biological
characteristics of women and men). It refers to socially expected roles, behaviours, activities, attributes, and
opportunities that any society considers appropriate for girls and boys, and women and men based on their
sex within a context. Gender is defined by society and there is no static nor universal definition to what is
considered feminine or masculine.
 Gender identity: refers to one’s innermost sense of self whether as male, female, a blend of both or neither,
irrespective of their biological sex at birth.

5. KEY SRHR TERMS
 Sexual orientation: refers to a person’s erotic, physical, emotional, and spiritual feelings, and attractions
to another person. These feelings and attractions may be predominantly towards a person of different
sex [heterosexual], same-sex [homosexual], all-male and female-bodied persons (male and female-
bodied persons [bisexual] and in some instances, to no sex [asexual]. Every person has a sexual
orientation; it is something innate to all humans.
 Sexual Minority: Sexual minorities are groups of people whose sexual orientation, gender identity, or
sexual characteristics are different from the presumed majority of the population, which are male or
female heterosexuals.
 Sexual Rights: Sexual rights are a fundamental element of human rights. Sexual health cannot be
attained without respect and dignity for human rights as it relates to sexual matters. For this reason,
sexual rights aim to provide an appropriate framework and mechanism to enable actualisation of sexual
health.

6. YOUTH & SRHR
 Africa is the only region in the world where the youth population is increasing. According to United
Nations’ statistics from 2015 Africa has the largest concentration of young people in the world: 226
million people aged 15-24, representing nearly 20% of Africa’s population, making up one fifth of the
world’s youth population. If one includes all people aged below 35, this number increases to three
quarters of Africa’s population
 What are some of the SRHR challenges that youth and adolescents in Malawi face?

7. SRHR ADVOCACY ISSUES
 The topic of sexual and reproductive health and rights is extremely broad involving a vast number of different issues. One
can’t really argue that a certain issue is more important than another, but rather an advocacy group needs to identify what is
an important issue for them, depending on timing, context, location and opportunity.
 Examples of topics include:
 » Access to safe abortion
 » Access to contraception – knowledge of contraception, side effects, options that are available, women’s reproductive rights,
emergency contraception
 » Family Planning
 » HIV & STI prevention, testing and treatment
 » Sexuality education (gender equality, gender norms, gender fluidity, LGBTIQ rights)
 » Unintended pregnancy
 » Cancer prevention, screening and treatment
 » Prenatal, ante-natal and obstetric care
 » Gender Based Violence and Harmful practices: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM),
 Child Marriage, Wife Inheritance
 » The decriminalisation of homosexuality, sex work, HIV transmission and abortion

8. GROUP WORK
 In your district, identify and agree on what you would define as the Top 3 SRHR advocacy issues
 Also identify and agree on what would be the Top SRHR advocacy issue at national level