SRH Support & Resources
Have you been curious about your sexual and reproductive health? Let's start by understanding what it is:
Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to sexuality and the reproductive system.
This means that you can have a satisfying and safe sex life, the freedom to decide if, when and how often to have children as well as the access to services and education that allow you to achieve these very objectives.
Unfortunately, talking about sexual and reproductive health is sometimes not as common. In geographies where we work, the culture of taboo and stigma that exists around sex can be identified as a key reason for this, further limiting awareness and access to healthcare around relating concerns.
Why SRH Matters
At Amirrah, we believe that conversations about SRH are not just important but require special attention for five key reasons:
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Breaking the Silence: When SRH is taboo, misinformation, myths, and stigma thrive. Talking openly helps normalise the subject and reduce shame.
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Protecting Health: Open conversations give people the knowledge to prevent STIs, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and to seek timely healthcare.
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Empowering Choice: Education around SRH allows individuals - especially women and young people - to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships and future.
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Promoting Equality: Silence often reinforces gender inequality. Dialogue helps challenge harmful norms and supports rights for women and marginalised groups.
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Saving lives: Lack of SRH information and services can lead to maternal deaths, untreated infections, and long-term or fatal health consequences. Honest and open communication can prevent these.
Instilling Safe Sex Practices
The journey to healthy and safe SRH starts with instilling safe sex practices. Below, we have prepared a set of checklists that can guide anyone looking to inform themselves for the same. More information relating to this can be found on our instagram page.
Contraception
(best in consultation with a doctor)
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You know why you need contraception
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You know all your options
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You know the process/ usage
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You understand all the side-effects, especially in consideration of the timeframe of the usage
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You are prioritising your comfort, both, before and after usage
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You know you are comfortable both mentally and physically
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You are aware of your partner's history especially any existence of infections or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
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You are able to communicate to your partner about any boundaries/ discomforts
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You take care of your hygiene, both, before and after sex
Sex
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You may have some anxieties - but no fear - about sex
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You feel you could say no and that would be OK
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Nobody is forcing or pressuring you for it
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You have talked about it together, discussed using condoms, other contraception and agreed on what happens next
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You each want it for yourselves - not just because the other person does
Consent
Promoting Sustainable Reproductive Health
Similar to sexual health, reproductive health also requires education and awareness to ensure myths and misinformation do not lead to issues including early and unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal health risks during pregnancy or birth as well as infertility issues.
Available below are some videos that help breakdown some myths and misconceptions surrounding reproductive health. More information and advocacy material on relating topics can be found on our social media platforms.
For more directed support and resources, including getting in touch with appropriate healthcare professionals, please reach out to us.
