Lack of sexual reproductive health, contraceptives a concern

When she was in her final year, Deborah Binja’s expectations to complete her higher-learning education were still high. She dreamed of becoming a lawyer and being the voice of those who face injustice.

However, fate befell her when she learned of her unplanned pregnancy which shattered all her dreams and forced her out of university life.

“I realised I was expecting a child in the third month of my pregnancy,” she recalls, her voice filled with regret. “I missed my period for two months, but thought my body was facing changes, only to learn from medics that I was three months pregnant.”

The student from the University of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) says she was in a dilemma, wondering whether she should abort or endure pregnancy until time to deliver. “I faced a lot of hurdles. Grappling with pregnancy was not easy for me. It meant that I had to drop out until I gave birth and took time to raise the baby,” Binja says.

Little access to contraceptives

Her story is a testament to the different barriers that prevent many students from accessing essential healthcare. The University of Kisangani and many other higher learning institutions share a common factor: a lack of sexual and reproductive health education.

In the DRC, a country grappling with immense challenges, the sexual and reproductive health of its university students is a stark reality that demands urgent attention. Students like Binja cannot access any form of contraceptives at the university, leaving the majority engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse.

“It seems like nobody cares,” Binja says, adding that, “While we are mature people who can decide what to do and what not to do, we need support and more education on sexual health and reproduction as well as easy access to contraceptives.”

The impact of such experiences is far-reaching. Binja’s unplanned pregnancy forced her to abandon her studies for two years. “I had no information on how to take care of my body,” she laments. “My former classmates graduated this year. If I had had enough information about sexual and reproductive health at the time, maybe I would have had an abortion or should have avoided pregnancy.”

The Maputo Protocol ratified by the DRC authorises abortion in certain circumstances.

Dropping out after unsafe abortion

Sarah Ramazani, a former student at L’Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs, or ULPGL, faced the severe effects of ignorance. Terrified of societal judgment, she resorted to a clandestine abortion, a decision that nearly cost her life.

“I dropped out of university,” she says, tears streaming down her face. “My parents kicked me out of the house ... I became a small shopkeeper on the street corner to earn a living. I wish I had received enough information on sexual and reproductive health before I got pregnant. Maybe I would have protected myself from pregnancy or had a safe abortion,” she adds.

Ramazani says her dream of becoming a health expert has been shattered as she has no hope of returning to university any time soon.

“Universities should not let students alone, especially female students. I am afraid that so many young females like me have fallen victim to not having access to contraceptives, let alone access to reproductive health information on campus,” she says.

Societal taboos play important role

For Binja and Ramazani, higher education institutions are meant to be defenders of knowledge and empowerment, but have become battlegrounds of a different kind. Limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, coupled with deeply rooted societal taboos, have left countless young lives like theirs scarred.

Their stories highlight the complex interplay of factors contributing to the sexual and reproductive health crisis on DRC campuses.

Health experts, too, view the lack of comprehensive sex education as a significant issue. “Many students in the DRC do not have access to accurate and complete information on sexual and reproductive health,” explains Dr Mike Maindo, an obstetrician-gynaecologist. “Discussions about sexuality are often taboo in the DRC, which can prevent students from seeking sexual and reproductive health information or services,” he adds, stressing that universities should provide easy access to free contraceptives.

Salomon Asimwe, a lecturer at the Higher Institute of Medical Technology in Bunia, echoes this sentiment. “It is important to touch on the teachings of sexual and reproductive health education. It is essential to inform students about topics such as contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and reproductive rights.”

However, he acknowledges the challenges posed by cultural beliefs and social norms. “There is still a stigma around discussing sexual health, which can make teaching these topics difficult.”

Students left with little support

The absence of sexual and reproductive health services on university campuses exacerbates the problem.

“Higher education and university institutions in the DRC often lack health clinics or dedicated sexual and reproductive health services,” notes François Doudou, a sexual and reproductive health expert. “Students are left to navigate their sexual and reproductive health challenges with limited support.

“Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of hope,” he continues. “Some universities have partnered with external organisations to conduct awareness campaigns on sexual and reproductive health. While these efforts are commendable, they are often insufficient to address the root causes of the problem.

“To create a sustainable solution, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. This, according to health experts, includes comprehensive sex education integrated into the school curriculum, increased access to sexual and reproductive health services on campus, and challenging societal norms and stigma surrounding sexuality.”

Moreover, it is crucial to involve young people in developing and implementing sexual and reproductive health programmes. Their insights and experiences are invaluable in creating interventions that are relevant and effective, experts urge.

“Addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of university students in the DRC is not merely a health issue; it is a matter of social justice and human rights. By investing in this critical area, the country empowers its young people to reach their full potential and contribute to the nation’s development,” Doudou says.