Today there are 1.8 billion adolescents and youth. They make up one quarter of the world’s population. There is a need for realization of the fact that adolescents and young people need to be well equipped with information about their sexuality and that access to sexual and reproductive health services is an important aspect to ensure that they live healthy and productive lives.
The higher proportion of youth in the population in the region is a cause for concern given the lack of such services and at the same time, it is an opportunity that needs to be invested into to solve economic deprivation in most of the countries in the region. As far as the access to sexual and reproductive health services is considered, there is great demarcation between those married and young people who are not married but are seeking such services in the region.
