Pretoria – Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini says sexual and reproductive health rights must be included in the post 2015 development agenda.
“[Sexual and reproductive health rights] are key to addressing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa and should therefore be addressed from a reproductive justice and human rights perspective,” Minister Dlamini said at the 48th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD 48).
The session, which is being held at the UN headquarters, takes place under the theme ‘Realising the future we want: integrating population issues into sustainable development, including the post-2015 development agenda’.
Speaking during a side event convened by the South African government on Monday, Minister Dlamini said SA has recently approved the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRH&R) Framework Strategy.
“It draws considerably on guiding principles and outcomes of various international treaties, guidelines, conventions and resolutions that place focus on ASRH&R, and national legislation within the framework of the Population Policy.
“The National ASRH&R Framework Strategy focuses on five key priority areas that are underpinned by a set of accompanying objectives, which focus on increased coordination, collaboration, information and knowledge sharing amongst stakeholders so as to improve the delivery of services,” Minister Dlamini said.
The strategy has developed innovative approaches to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health rights information, including comprehensive sexuality education and counselling for adolescents.
The session ends on 17 April. – SAnews.gov.za
