Young Activist's Guide to Sexual and Reproductive Rights, A

This guide, developed for young activists, provides an overview of the sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) that are protected by international and regional human rights treaties and other agreements. It shows how these rights apply to adolescents and young people and discusses ways that young people can advocate for their sexual and reproductive rights.

First, the authors give a history of the establishment of sexual and reproductive rights. Included in this history are sections defining reproductive health, reproductive rights, and sexual rights, as well as a discussion of the treaty, resolution, and declaration documents designed to protect those rights. The authors then list nine rights and how each impacts adolescents:

• The Right to Health;
• The Right to Life;
• The Right to Education and Information;
• The Right to Privacy;
• The Right to Decide the Number and Spacing of One's Children;
• The Right to Consent to Marriage and to Equality in Marriage;
• The Right to Be Free from Discrimination;
• The Right to Be Free from Harmful Practices; and
• The Right to Be Free from Violence.

Specific sections or articles of treaties pertaining to each right are included as support information. The final sections offer opportunities to advocate for adolescent sexual and reproductive rights along with advocacy tips and the international and regional resources available as advocacy support.