The ICEH is proud of contributing with two studies to the supplement Adolescent sexual and reproductive health for all in sub-Saharan Africa: a spotlight on inequalities organized by the Countdown to 2030 for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health and the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) and published at BMC Reproductive Health.

While adolescents did not get enough attention in the context of the Millennium Development Goals, there is a strong commitment to ensuring that they are not left behind in the Sustainable Development Goals agenda. The focus of the supplement is on inequalities in the levels and trends of progress on sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. The supplement points to the huge inequalities in the levels and trends of health outcomes, harmful practices, health behaviours and in the uptake of SRH services between and within SSA countries. This body of work powerfully reinforces the point that national averages hide huge disparities - being important to apply an equity lens  to unmask inequalities by demographic and socio-economic characteristics. 

The key findings from this new research showing both areas of progress and remaining challenges are going to be discussed on the coming Wednesday. Topics include inequalities in adolescent sexual debut, marriage and childbirth, family planning, HIV, and violence against young women, and the extent to which new funding addressed adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Register here: “Adolescent and sexual reproductive health for all in sub-Saharan Africa: Are inequalities reducing?”