Abstract

PELAEZ MENDOZA, Jorge. Sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and youth: a glance from the perspective of human rights. Rev Cubana Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.2. ISSN 0138-600X.

Today it is very important to deal with the topic of adolescence and youth due to the trascendency of this age group for development and its impact on the world population, paticularly on Latin America and the Caribbean, where the inhabitants aged 10-24 account for 30 % and the adolescents aged 11-19 represent 20 %, with an equitable distribution between both sexes. It is expected that the population aging affects the region in the next decades. The current situation of Cuba is a clear example of it. Therefore, the topic of youth and an adequate promotion of reproductive health are still present. It is necessary that the attention of public policies focus on it in the coming years, since it is a priority to preserve the future fertility of adolescents and youth. The present situation of poverty and inequality predominating in a great number of the countries of our region is a menace for the development of this human capital. This article is aimed at analyzing the aspects related to the strategies and policies of sexual and repoductive health directed to adolescents and youth with an approach that pioritizes their human, sexual and reproductive rights. This perspective is based on the commitments made by the countries on ratifying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the conclusions of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Fourth World Conference on Women.

Keywords : Adolescence; youth; sexual health; reproductive health.

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