The right to sexual and reproductive health is essential to women’s empowerment and gender equality, but many young women continue to face discrimination, coercion and violence in making decisions about their lives and about reproduction.

Many women cannot exercise their right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.

Also too many girls and young women:

• Report that their first sexual encounter was forced.
• Are subjected to violence. (Adolescent girls and young women are particularly vulnerable).

Just as no woman or girl should die during pregnancy and childbirth, no woman or girl should die from unsafe abortion. The best way to reduce recourse to abortion is to provide comprehensive sexuality education and family planning. Family planning, as part of comprehensive reproductive health services saves lives, enhances women's life options, and reduces poverty.

At FPA Sri Lanka, we know that investing in young women’s leadership is vital for advancing the right to sexual and reproductive health.

On the 17^th of February 2019, a Training Programme was conducted for select youth women leaders of Killinochichi, most of whom are community health workers, on the topics of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, unsafe abortion and modern contraceptives. It was organized by the Advocacy Unit of FPA Sri Lanka and Women's Centre. Mr. Thushara Manoj -Senior Manager Advocacy and Youth and Mr.Thiveegabalan Chanthirakumar from  Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka - YANSL conducted the sessions at the event.