Special Issue « Young People, Sexual Health and Sexual Rights »
Guest Editor: Dr. Malin Lindroth
Having one’s sexual rights acknowledged can be understood as a prerequisite for experiencing sexual health and well-being. Young people below the age of 18 often lack legal or factual autonomy. In particular, they may lack access to youth-friendly and accurate information and education that protect and promote their sexual health, and respect their sexual rights. This makes them a vulnerable group.
The report of the Guttmacher–Lancet Commission (Starrs et al., 2018) on sexual and reproductive health and rights for all describe young people as a population in need of improved services, since “many social, gender, cultural, and legal barriers prevent adolescents from obtaining high-quality sexual and reproductive health information and services” (p. 2668). In addition, the Convention on the Rights of the Child is clear. The General comment no. 15 (2013) on the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health (art. 24) stresses the recognition of equal rights related to sexual and reproductive health; and equal access to information, education, justice and security; including the elimination of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
In light of this, research that highlights young people as sexual agents, and that highlight how young peoples’ sexual health and rights are protected and promoted, is vital. We invite papers that present empirical, theoretical, policy-related, or practice-related contributions to the field of young people and sexual health and sexual rights.