Appraisal of the sexual and reproductive health of women in Nigeria from the perspective of internally displaced persons

Abstract

Women and girls, in times of conflict, have a heightened need for sexual and reproductive health care services due to their increased risk to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), unwanted pregnancies, maternal mortality and morbidity, as a consequence of gender-based sexual violence. Access to sexual and reproductive health is a fundamental human right that is central to achieving the 2030 Agenda as emphasized in the Sustainable Development Goals in relation to good health and wellbeing, and gender equality. The paper aims at inquiring into the limitation of access to reproductive rights by internally displaced women. It adopted a doctrinal research methodology. The research has shown that during crises and war, availability of health care services including sexual and reproductive health services are limited. Hence, internally displaced women are left with no choice than to seek important sexual and reproductive health care services from local midwives and patent medicine vendors. This article reviews the impact of crises and internal displacement on women’ access to sexual and reproductive health care services including the numerous challenges that occur. The paper finds that there is urgent need to sincerely and progressively expand access to essential health services that are made available to internally displaced women to include an integrated package on sexual and reproductive health care, specifically tailored to meet women needs.