Seychelles Sexual Reproductive Health Policy...
Seychelles Sexual Reproductive Health Policy
Date: October 23, 2012
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Seychelles Sexual Reproductive Health Policy is integral to the country’s National Gender Policy that is aligned to SADC Gender Protocol. During the drafting of their first ever National Gender Policy, the Seychelles Gender Secretariat ensured that there was harmony between the objectives of the policy and the 2011 National Sexual and Reproductive Policy.
Table 6.1 shows that the country is doing well with 100% coverage of sanitation and 99% attendance to births by skilled personnel. The indicator on Contraceptive use by sexually active women is what brings down the SGDI score to 78% – an area that needs to be improved.
As from 1977, government abolished health fees and invested massively in infrastructure, decentralisation and training. Over the years, health policies have been reviewed to meet rising public expectations and increasing challenges brought about by modern lifestyles..
In this regard, women have full access to the whole range of health facilities provided by the state and no cultural barriers hinder enjoyment of health rights. Spousal consent is not needed for reproductive health services or sterilisation. Health indicators show that women are the major beneficiaries of health programmes and more receptive to education, prevention and advisory services. Health districts record more female attendance while men are seen to be lagging behind in accessing sexual and reproductive health services.
The National Gender Policy spells out all the targets to be achieved by 2015, in line with the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. These are:
- Reduce the maternal mortality ratio by 75%.
- Develop and implement policies and programmes to address the mental, sexual and reproductive health needs of women and men.
- Ensure the provision of hygiene and sanitary facilities and nutritional needs of women, including women in prison.
The National Sexual and Reproductive Health policy is guided by a number of principles, which highlight respect for human rights, choice in family planning matters and equity.
While the National Gender Policy and the SHR are still in draft form they provide a roadmap for realising the SADC Gender Protocol targets. Seychelles has gone a long way in ensuring that there is a higher uptake of modern contraception.
Table 6.2 analyses how these objectives and actions align to the National Gender Policy and the SADC Gender Protocol:
Table 6.2
| Seychelles’ Sexual reproductive health policy and National Gender Policy objectives on health |
Relevant provisions of the SADC Gender Protocol |
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The 2011 Sexual Reproductive Health policy objectives incorporated and enhanced in the National Gender Policy objectives on health. The SHR policy is also to be revised to include any additions specified in the National Gender Policy section on health |
All SADC Gender Protocol targets to be achieved by 2015 on health specified in the National Gender Policy. |
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The preamble in the National Gender Policy section on health recognises government’s efforts aimed at ensuring that all programmes consider gender differences and encourage positive attitudes regarding sexuality and gender roles for greater gender equity and equality.
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State parties shall by 2015 adopt and implement legislative frameworks, policies, programmes and services to enhance gender sensitive, appropriate and affordable quality health care. |
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Seychelles offers free antenatal and postnatal maternal care. This has considerably reduced maternal deaths, which are now a rare occurrence. For example in 2011 there were no maternal deaths recorded and the National Gender Policy and SHR have committed to:
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State parties shall ensure that by 2015 they provide Àappropriate and affordable quality health careÀ. |
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The National Gender Policy overall objective on health and SHR Policy: To ensure access to sexual and reproductive health information and services for women and men and encourage male involvement in sexual and reproductive health issues. The government also commits providing accessible youth and adolescent reproductive health care., and to provide |
State parties shall by 2015 develop and implement policies and programmes to address the mental, sexual and reproductive health needs of women and men |
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targeted support programmes for the following vulnerable groups: |
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