3rd African Conference on Sexual Health Opens in Abuja
Leadership Newspaper
February 5, 2008

A four-day African regional conference on Sexual Health and Rights has commenced in Abuja.

The conference, aimed at opening discourse on sexuality on the African continent in favour of assuring a healthy region, would also explore the multi-faceted intersections of sexuality with poverty and accountability.

Executive director, Action health incorporated, Mrs. Mike Esiet, at a press briefing that poor sexual health and abuse of sexual rights constituted additional economic burdens as well as limitation to education and employment opportunities for young adults, adding that there was urgent need for collaboration of the social activities and the government in fighting the menace.

She said, "while people under 25 years of age represent more than half of the population, the sexual and reproductive health needs of youths in Africa remain acute. Socio-cultural and structural factors too often compound young people's vulnerability and marginalisation."

Objectives of the conference she said, include, stock taking on the responses to sexual health and rights on the continent, exploring intersections between poverty and sexual health and rights and to determine the centrality of sexuality in achieving the millennium development Goals (MDGs).

Nonofo Molefhi, Botswana member of parliament also noted that legislators must work closesly with the civil society organisations (CSO) whom he said are better placed to provide the necessary technical support and information needed policy formulation.

He noted that time has come for Africans to hold their health ministers responsible in their stewardship under what he described as 'Maputo' pan.

The issue of sexual health he pointed could not be resolved in isolation, but needed a multi-sectoral approach to tackle.