Nayee Soch, Nayee Shuruwat: A training module on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for adolescents

The ‘SRHR Module for Adolescents’ focuses on enhancing knowledge on SRHR that encompass the rights of adolescents to make decisions concerning their reproduction and sexual activity free from discrimination, coercion, and violence. This Module primarily serves to be a handbook for discussion leaders to facilitate sessions. This SRHR Module for Adolescents is based on the founding principles of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and intends to make adolescents aware of their rights, particularly sexual and reproductive health and rights. The eight themes for discussion in the manual are closely connected to UNCRC’s four key principles: 1) no child should be discriminated against; 2) one should act in the child’s best interests; 3) children have the right to survival and development; and 4) the views of the child should be respected. In other words, a perspective based on the position that all children have universal rights is central to the method.

 

The first theme is on Changes during Adolescence, which is about the physical, emotional and psycho-social changes during adolescence; Second theme is on Menstrual Health and Hygiene is about management of menstruation, maintaining menstrual hygiene and dispelling myths regarding menstruation; third is on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is about understanding what it is and why it is important and taking healthy decisions; fourth is Adolescent Pregnancy is about teenage pregnancy, and nutritional needs and unsafe abortion; Fifth is Safe and Responsible Behaviour focusses on strengthening adolescents ’decision making skills on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including preventing unintended pregnancy and contraception; Sixth is Prevention of Infections and Dispelling Misconceptions is to learn about reproductive tract infections, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, and their prevention. It also enhances treatment-seeking behaviour of adolescents and dispels misconceptions related to these infections; Seventh is Gender and Sexuality is about understanding gender diversity and sexuality, and taking healthy decisions related to sexuality; and eighth is Taking Steps Against Violence deals with issues related to self- protection and taking action against discrimination and violence.