Challenges young people face when trying to access sexual and reproductive health services in 30 different country are laid bare today thanks to a new online data crunching tool launched by the International Planned Parenthood Federation in partnership with Guttmacher.
The launch, timed to mark International Day of the Girl (11 October, 2014), is an important moment for those that work for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people.
That's because in many countries, girls and young women's access to contraception and other sexual reproductive health services are limited. This can lead to unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and unsafe abortions.
Disturbingly, unmarried women and young girls are often denied sexual and reproductive health services even when vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse.
The 'Demystifying data visualization tool' is intended to help inform advocacy work around adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues, including increasing funding and improving access to information and services.
It compiles data from national surveys in 30 countries and offers a snapshot of the current challenges that young people face when trying to access Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. The tool highlights in particular the need for comprehensive sexuality education to empower thousands of young people around the world.
Doortje Braeken, IPPF Senior Adviser, Adolescents and Young People, Gender and Rights: "Investing in girls' empowerment through comprehensive sexuality education and access to youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services will contribute to end the cycle of violence.
"We hope that this tool enables those at local, regional and national levels able to influence to ensure desperately needed change is achieved. Greater investment and prioritization is needed to make a difference to the millions who are not able to access the very services they need."
Duncan Clark, one of the Founders of KILN, the data visualization company that designed the Tool said: "It's always rewarding to take important data and put it into a form that makes it more accessible and interactive. In particular, we found it interesting to explore the differences between urban and rural areas, and between different wealth quintiles."
The data visualization tool is available on www.ippf.org/resource/Guttmacher-IPPF-report-Increased-SRHR-investment-needed-30-countries.
IPPF has been committed to providing youth-friendly services for many years, and has focused on community-based approaches with peer educators providing information and contraception to ensure accessibility of services for young people.