African youth health rights held back by politics, restrictive laws, experts say

Barriers to youth access to health services in Africa, driven by restrictive laws and policy gaps. [iStockphoto]

Despite years of investment, many young people across Africa still face major barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health services, leaving them vulnerable to HIV infection, unintended pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence.

Experts recently warned that the challenge is no longer simply a lack of funding or health services, but political systems, laws and policies that continue to limit young people’s access to information and care.

The concerns were raised during the 9th Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) Pan African Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR) Scientific Conference, which brought together governments, researchers, health professionals, civil society groups, development partners and young people from across the continent.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Musoba Kitui, Director at Ipas Africa Alliance, said many discussions around adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health focus too heavily on technical solutions while ignoring deeper structural problems.