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Published: 2017

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The attention on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents and youth by the Government of India (GoI) has resulted in the development of national programmes and policies in the last two decades. For example, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) component was included as one of the strategies in the Reproductive and Child Health-II Programme (2005-2010), GoI, to reduce the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) nationally. Moving beyond the instrumentalist approach of the ARSH programme which perceives adolescent girlsu2019 health concerns within the framework of u201cmaternal health of future mothersu201d, the Access Project argues that female adolescent sexual health issues cannot only be limited to their fertility and future maternity. The Access Project is a community and youth-led audit of SRH services in India in multiple health facilities including Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHC, a component of National Adolescent Health Programme, 2014). World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises provision of counselling services through AFHCs as an important component of adolescent health. The following study seeks to audit six SRH services, including Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI)/ Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) testing, RTI/STI counselling, safe sex and contraceptive methods counselling, pregnancy test and information on abortion care. It identifies barriers within the health system in accessing counselling services on SRH like non-availability of the comprehensive IEC material, inadequate distribution of clinics and staff capacities, lack of measures for ensuring privacy and confidentiality in the AFHCs and conservative attitude of the service providers towards premarital sex. The programme uses the identified barriers as evidence from young researchers for advocacy. It adopts a two-point strategy which includes policy advocacy and public advocacy. Policy advocacy initiative focuses on improvement of service delivery with key stakeholders for an effective implementation of the programme and public advocacy focuses on uptake of SRH services with young people in the community.