Sexual and reproductive health in Asia and the Pacific

In 2015, Burnet conducted the first comprehensive review of young people's sexual and reproductive health across 32 countries in Asia and the Pacific. This wide-ranging report described the status of young people’s sexual and reproductive health outcomes, risks and determinants, and examined the impact of existing policies and programmes, and showcasing best practices in the region. This work was updated and expanded on in a subsequent review of needs and progress, conducted in 2019.

Objective

There are almost one billion young people aged between 10 and 24 years living in Asia and the Pacific, accounting for more than a quarter of the population in this region.

These young people live in diverse socio-cultural and economic contexts, yet they share important challenges and opportunities related to their sexual and reproductive health.

In all countries, increasing access to media, urbanisation and globalisation are contributing to changing sexual values, norms and behaviours of young people, often in conflict with the traditional, conservative socio-cultural attitudes towards premarital sex and gender norms.

These factors contribute to significant barriers that limit young people’s access to the information and services that they need to make a healthy transition into adulthood. 

In 2015, Burnet conducted a review of young people’s sexual and reproductive health in 32 countries, commissioned by UNFPA.

This wide-ranging report described the status of young people’s sexual and reproductive health outcomes, risks and determinants, and examined the impact of existing policies and programmes, and showcasing best practices in the region.

The review was updated in 2019, with particular focus on current evidence, policy and programme approaches related to key SRHR priorities in the region:

• child marriage and early union
• adolescent pregnancy
• young people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity
• SRH in a digital age
• comprehensive sexuality education
• universal health coverage for adolescent SRH.

Timeline

2015; 2019.

Approach

While progress has occurred, significant gaps remain in research and programming–leaving many of the SRH needs of young people unmet. T

The report provides recommendations and identifies priority areas where urgent focus is needed to prevent early and unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

And to ensure, in this era of the Sustainable Development Goals, that no young person is left behind.

Community impact

Publications

2015

• • 'Sexual and Reproductive Health of Young People in Asia and the Pacific: A review of issues, policies and programmes' (Burnet Institute Report). Kennedy E, Willenberg L, Mohamed Y, Luchters S (UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office, UNESCO, WHO 2015 Jul)
  • 'My Body is My Body, My Life is My Life: Sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people in Asia and the Pacific'