ESWATINI-ABORTION-TBs-CRC

Concluding Observations on Report 2-4 (2021) (Link)

Adolescent health

54. The Committee welcomes the establishment of youth-friendly clinics and the roll-out of life-skills education in all secondary schools. The Committee is however concerned about:

(a) Health services that are generally not adolescent friendly;

(b) The high HIV infection rates;

(c) The high rate of early pregnancy, particularly during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and adolescents’ limited access to contraceptives, particularly in rural areas;

(d) The stigma surrounding mental health and the lack of mental health services for adolescents;

(e) The lack of an assessment of the impact of legalization of cannabis on adolescents.

55. Taking note of targets 3.4, 3.5 and 5.6 of the Sustainable Development Goals and with reference to its general comment No. 4 (2003) on adolescent health and development in the context of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure adolescent-friendly health services, and provide free, confidential HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health services;

(b) Ensure girls’ access to family planning services, affordable contraceptives and safe abortion and post-abortion care services, and ensure that their views are always heard and given due consideration in abortion decisions;

(c) Ensure that comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education is part of the compulsory school curriculum, with special attention placed on the prevention of early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection, in particular HIV/AIDS, and ensure access to confidential counselling;

(d) Ensure that all adolescents have access to confidential mental health services and counselling in primary health-care settings, schools and communities;

(e) Carry out an assessment of any potential negative impact of the legalization of cannabis on adolescents.

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Concluding Observations on Report 1 (2006) (Link)

[no mention]

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