Breaking the Silence and Build a Safe Space for Sexual and Reproductive Health

Sexual and reproductive health refers to the individual’s overall physical, mental, and social well-being concerning their reproductive system. Understanding our anatomy is critical for staying safe and healthy. The concept also includes gender equality and human rights in terms of how people are treated in society, as well as the prevention of sexual violence. 

In Cambodia, the lack of awareness of sexual and reproductive health has become quite an issue. When mentioning the topic, in the past and even now, culture and religion have had a great influence on remaining taboo. Culturally in many parts of the country, sexual health is still considered to be inappropriate and not something to be openly addressed. When sexual education is not widely discussed, misunderstandings about the body, sanitary practices, and how to treat infections emerge. From generation to generation, youth weren’t taught to be open and proactive about this topic. The social norm was to keep their condition to themselves or only discuss the issues when they were severe or too late. This became critical when individuals suffering from sexual abuse became quite insecure about themselves and weren’t given any support toward their situation. 

RHAC is an NGO working toward spreading information services regarding sexual and reproductive health. One of their projects named RESPOND was established during the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic to help encourage health services and facilities across communities and educate people about sexual and reproductive health and their rights, while also raising awareness on sexual and gender-based violence. The video documentary created by our iMPACT STORY team was designed to promote interest in sexual and reproductive health intervention. 

With this project, we were able to understand this major issue and how there is more than one way to address this problem. Establishing many services to support the issue is just the beginning of the key solution. Only through communication and training can the impact blossom on a much bigger scale for both citizens and experts. Limited health facilities and patient’s reluctance can be easily solved with telecommunication. Having different alternatives for abortion and support from doctors gives people the confidence to open up and help spread out the service. 

With decades of shyness and embarrassment as the norm, it’s finally time for us to help raise awareness and create a safe space for countless patients in desperate need of help and support. Only through trust and confidence can this be accomplished. Having education about sexual and reproductive health and rights means being prepared to overcome fear and seek help when it is needed.