“We know that when women and girls have the information, the services and the means to make decisions about their own bodies and lives – free from violence, discrimination or coercion – they can chart their own destiny and realize their full potential. And when they do, the benefits – to their health, education, income and safety – extend to their communities, countries and beyond.  Societies flourish when women and girls are empowered to exercise their bodily autonomy. Yet, many are still denied this basic right.” UNFPA on Bodily Autonomy.  

“Marginalized young people are disproportionately likely to become survivors of sexual violence, and they also bear an elevated risk of becoming perpetrators of sexual harm. We can lower these risks by investing in the provision of sexual and reproductive health care programs and services, to equip these young people to grow into sexually healthy adults.”— Prostasia Foundation

We strongly believe sexual and reproductive health and rights and bodily autonomy are fundamental human rights.
In the rural areas where we are working, adolescents girls and young women face multiple challenges to exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights and bodily autonomy and many of them are trapped into unwanted and early pregnancies while the traditions and cultures do not give them space to speak or get knowledge on their bodies changes and development. They can not decide when to have sex, pregnancies and babies. They are set to be victims of sexual violence and this is not good for their health, dignity and well-being.

At SHEEO NGO, under this programme we focus on implementing the following activities:

1. We build capacities of adolescents girls, boys and key community stakeholders on sexual and reproductive health rights and girls bodily autonomy through workshops, training seminars and   awareness campaigns to strengthen community voices in ensuring these rights are valued and protected;

2. We support SRHR activities and related adolescents friendly services to assist in sensitizing them on SRHR issues and fighting early marriages and pregnancies;

3. We offer comprehensive sexuality education to adolescents girls and boys in order to help them take control and make informed decisions about their sexuality and relationships freely and responsibly.