My Body is My Body, My Life is My Life: Sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people in Asia and the Pacific

This review provides an update to the 2015 report highlighting the current status of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and examines key SRHR priorities in Asia and the Pacific to support informed policy, programming and advocacy.

This review has a particular focus on current evidence, policy and programme approaches related to key SRHR priorities in the region: child marriage and early union; adolescent pregnancy; young people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity; SRH in a digital age; comprehensive sexuality education; and universal health coverage for adolescent SRH.

While progress has occurred, significant gaps remain in research and programming - leaving many of the SRH needs of young people unmet. Enabling young people to achieve the highest attainable standard of SRH is also a fundamental human right, reflected in international and regional agreements and commitments, and also the focus of several targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Asia-Pacific seeks to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, the rights and choices of young persons are more crucial than ever for an equitable future where no one is left behind.

This report comes with a package of a snapshot, seven factsheets and six videos that summarize key SRH issues affecting young people and provide practical guidance to address such issues. These communication assets can be used as a whole set or individually.