Good Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) means that you have the knowledge, access to services, and ability to make responsible, informed sexual decisions, including choosing not to have sex until you feel ready. Knowing your SRH rights will ensure that you practice them and can support others to do the same. Here’s some SRH rights to be aware of.

Right to access reproductive health services and facilities

Our constitution gives you the right to have access to affordable, high-quality services that respect your privacy. You have the right to contraceptives, an HIV test, a pregnancy test, termination services, and other medical care at any clinic or health facility. It’s important to be aware of the laws and policies that limit you from accessing certain clinical services. Unfortunately, these include regulations that require a minimum age or parental consent.

Right to say no

You have control over your body and your sexuality without any form of discrimination, coercion, or violence. If you’re not ready or don’t feel up to it, you’re free to express your feelings to your partner, without a reason. You also have the right to withdraw consent any time during a sexual activity without feeling guilty. If your partner pressures you or threatens to break up with you because you don’t want to have sex or do any other sexual activity, it’s a clear sign that they don’t respect your SRH rights.

Right to safe sex

You should never be afraid to practice good sexual health and safety, Choma. Being prepared and being safe not only prevents you and your partner from getting or spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, but it also prevents unwanted pregnancies. Remember to practice safe sex every time, which means never letting your partner pressure you into having sex without any sort of protection.

To be sexually healthy, you need to be able to have consensual, pleasurable, and safe sexual experiences, where no one is forcing you to do anything you don’t want to do or being violent and discriminating against your sexual choices. It also means having the right to access to sexual health information and services at your nearest clinic, and free of charge at public health clinics

 Remember if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).