In Africa, most of our traditions and cultural practices have dictated a lot on matters to do with maternal and reproductive health rights.
This includes the right childbearing age, number and spacing of children, family planning and termination of pregnancy.
This has made it difficult for people to be fully aware of where to draw the line between the oppression of their human rights and giving in to societal pressures.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, human rights include sexual and reproductive health and rights for all individuals, especially among women.
It covers the right to privacy, right to health, right to decide the number and spacing of children and right to equality among others.
Due to inequality experienced in society, women suffer the most and have at times compromised even their health.
Sexual rights consider vulnerable in society, for instance, people with disabilities, adolescents and women.
PWD, are usually, put in the dark on matters to do with sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Most people take advantage of their condition to extend violence, lack of proper maternal care and lack of proper guidance on family planning.
Adolescents and young women also have a right to make their own choices concerning their sexual health reproductive rights.
Awareness is very critical in reducing the number of maternal deaths experienced and prevention of HIV and AIDS.
Condoms have proved to be the best family planning method to enjoy a healthy and safe sex life especially among the youth who are at the peak of their lives.
Most people are living in the dark concerning such topics and has resulted in rising cases of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion, maternal death and gender-based violence.
As we end the 16 days of activism on December 10, the campaigns should not stop but should continue focusing on educating people on their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The government should invest more in such campaigns.
Sex education and rights are soo underrated but it affects all aspects of our existence.
Peer to peer learning techniques and the use of opinion leaders in society can be used to increase the awareness level of individuals.
Awareness begins with us taking time to learn and understand our sexual and reproductive rights, providing sex education to our children, teenagers and health facilities providing adequate knowledge on maternal services and family planning.
Let us invest more in creating awareness on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Student, Maasai Mara University
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
