Written by Jessica Mandanda

In the last three years, I have been privy to various conversations, in closed conference rooms- where folks from various backgrounds sit together to discuss the fate of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. I have also sat through conversations with different groups of young people, sharing their experiences with sexual and reproductive health and rights.

On one end of these two conversations, are debates about what needs to be done to control young people’s sexuality and the way they experience their SRHR needs, and on the other end, are moments of enlightenment as young men and women share the feeling of urgency to have control over their own bodies.

That, perhaps is the conundrum that defines the status of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Malawi. I’d like you to hold on this introductory thought for a moment.

You see, Malawi as a small country, is one of the countries within Southern Africa that has at times been recognized for making strides in advancements in sexual and reproductive health and rights, and at other times, for regressing on the implementation of national SRHR policies as well as regional commitments such as the Abuja Declaration on Health financing.

If you were to ask the question on what the status of sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly, for young people in Malawi is, you would receive varied responses. Ranging from exemplary, to perhaps questionable and in need of urgent improvement.

As a country, Malawi hosts a beautiful portfolio of national policies and laws geared toward the achievement of Comprehensive Sex Education, regional agreements as well as international conventions and global goals. Some relevant examples include the Constitution of Malawi (1994), which in alignment with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the Right to Health, guarantees the right to health for all citizens, which forms the basis for SRHR; and the Gender Equality Act which is the domestication of the Protocol To The African Charter On Human And People’s Rights On The Rights Of Women In Africa (Maputo Protocol).

Now that you have some background on Malawi’s current status on SRHR, the challenges and the enabling policy environment. Let us go back to the introductory train of thought.

Within this policy environment, is where we have the ongoing conundrum on status of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Malawi, and perhaps this is where we see the political and social structures more clearly.

To quote Dr. Jessie Kabwila, the political is personal and the personal is political, in this conversation, the experiences of young people with their sexual and reproductive health and rights is a political question that takes into account the social, and economic contributing factors.

In reflecting on the diverse and complex landscape of young people's sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Malawi, it becomes evident that this issue is deeply intertwined with the nation's political and social fabric.

The contrast between the policy framework and the lived experiences of young people highlights the persistent struggle for autonomy and control over their own bodies amidst societal and governmental constraints. Despite Malawi's commendable policies and international commitments, the real challenge lies in the implementation and cultural acceptance of these rights. The journey towards comprehensive SRHR in Malawi is not just a policy issue but a profoundly personal one, reflecting broader socio-political dynamics.

As we move forward, it is crucial to bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that the voices of young people are not only heard but also acted upon, fostering an environment where their rights are genuinely respected and upheld.