Creating basic understanding of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights- SRHR among targeted vulnerable groups and Government stakeholders in Vavuniya North and Vavuniya DS divisions in Vavuniya District

The people living in Vavuniya district have faced war and multiple displacements. Also, people who have lived in different places have been moved in living and following diverse cultures and traditions. The most common and serious problems seen in this region is increased domestic violence- more specifically violence against women and rights violations., child marriage / early marriage and teenage pregnancy, increased drug usage among children and youth, suicide attempts and suicide out of stress, child abuse, school dropouts, sexual abuse. 

Major causes for these problems are economic barriers, unemployment, the expectation for a luxurious lifestyle, lack of sex education, unawareness about SRHR and patriarchal community structure. When looking in to deeply, lack of interest at family and community level to discuss about sex education and SRHR are main root cause for the above problems. If these taboos are removed and needed information share with the younger generation and adults, many problems will be minimized. 

Sexual and reproductive health and rights include the right to live a healthy life free of disease and access to high-quality health services, including the right to decide when and with whom to have sex and how many children to have are unaware by the majority of them. Even though they get to know, many of them are not ready to speak about it even with their husband/partner. 

Therefore, this pilot project focuses on minimizing such SRHR issues and violence caused by superstitions and predetermined concepts related to sexual and reproductive health.

It will also enable women survivors of SRHR issues to access their services without fear. For that purpose, FOSDOO intends to work with school students, youth, women and Government Officers to create and enhance awareness of SRHR and to promote SRHR among them through this pilot initiative.