Most importantly a gender approach recognises that societies build ideals and norms about men and women, some of which need to be challenged. Gender comes into all areas of relationships and sexuality. Health professionals may discourage young people from seeking advice and treatment for sexual and reproductive health problems. On top of this young women may be unable to use services without the consent of their parents or husband, undermining their right to privacy and freedom of thought. Young men may also feel discouraged from participating in family planning-often seen as a woman's issue.
Statistics give some idea of the inequalities young women experience.
These inequalities are, in part, a result of the prejudices and discrimination that young women face in access to information and services, in participating in decision making, and in getting equal status with others. In this X-press articles from Malaysia, Cyprus, Cambodia, South Africa and Pakistan cover issues such as the relationships between men and women and the different roles, expectations, problems and opportunities that they have. Well time for us to shut up and let you hear for yourself the opinions of young men and women on how gender affects their lives. Adolescent reproductive health in Africa. To have a chance of winning the photo competition in the next edition, send in your photos, the names of people in the pictures, a description of what is happening and your own name and details.