Reproductive health (RH) is one of the cornerstones
of an individual’s health and well-being, and an
important component of a country’s human social
development. Universal access to reproductive
health services is a target under the Millennium
Development Goals, reflecting international consensus
that RH issues are linked to development, social
justice, human rights, and gender equality.1
Limited
access to RH information among female adolescents
can increase their vulnerability to health problems.
Therefore, it is important to provide them with accurate
and age-appropriate information.
But in the Middle East and North Africa, cultural
norms dictate that girls should not be exposed to
information about RH until they are married. Providing
unmarried girls with RH information, education,
counseling, and services has long been a challenge
because of cultural, social, and religious sensitivities.
This working paper presents key findings of a recent
study conducted by the Alexandria Regional Centre
for Women’s Health and Development, Egypt, highlighting
gaps between female adolescents’ needs for
appropriate RH information and what they actually
have access to, as expressed by the girls. The study,
covering the Alexandria Governorate, also reveals
that school teachers, doctors, and social workers
are unprepared to take on the task of accurately
informing young girls about RH and responding to
their questions and concerns. Both the girls and the
school officials expressed a desire to gain the information
and skills to address these gaps.