Abstract
Young people in Calabar have diverse sexual and reproductive health challenges. Many argue that integrating gender into health programming will help reduce some of these issues because gender is central to shaping many sexual and reproductive health issues. This study used story theatre, as a qualitatively, narrative and participatory approach in trying to understand how gender relates to and influences adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Twenty story sessions were held for a hundred young people (aged 10-19) in four selected communities’ Akai Effa, Ikot Ekpo, Efut Uwanse and Nyakassang all situated in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas of Cross River State, South-South Nigeria. Sessions were recorded and later coded and analyzed for sexual and reproductive health as well as gender themes. Key findings revealed that rape and gender-related sexual assault and violence, teenage pregnancy, intergenerational as well as the objectification of women ranked amongst the highest Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) and gender issues in the communities. Young females seem to be getting more of the negative effects than boys because they are seen as pleasurable and economic assets. It is recommended that out of the box approaches which will involve multi-systems and stakeholders be used in finding a solution to this worrisome issue.
Highlights
Reducing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Challenges is a global health concern
In another assessment and or appraisal, it was observed that girls who, for whatever reason cannot be in school, should be encouraged with entrepreneurial activities ; “Government should provide skill acquisition for females so that they can stop sleeping with older men for money” – Male out of School (Esther, 29)
It is disinteresting to note that this social dislocation girls suffer in the hands of men cuts across races and nations
Summary
Reducing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Challenges is a global health concern. According to the World Health Organisation, adolescents are considered as persons between ages 10-19. A UNFPA fact sheet states that globally there are 1.8 billion adolescents and over one-fifth of this population live in sub-Saharan Africa (UNICEF 2014). Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health challenges affect the wellbeing of young people, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Considering sub-Saharan Africa, that is the geographical location with the highest burden of HIV, adolescent girls and young women make up 57% of persons living with HIV; and are twice more likely to be infected with HIV as compared to boys and young men (UNAIDS 2014)
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