UN Analysis Final.pdf - United Nations in Cambodia

that while awareness-raising efforts of locally based organizations, and the dissemination of public information
on sexual and reproductive health, HIV and STI among young people have been significant achievements,
they need to be expanded.
It is most likely that many rural youths have limited access to information on reproductive health.
Consequently, they may have incomplete knowledge and understanding of important issues such as
sexuality, contraception and safe sex.
PERCEPTIONS ABOUT MARRIAGE AND FAMILY PLANNING
The majority of the young FGD participants knew that early marriage or pregnancy for women between
15 and 18 can have health consequences for both mothers and children, and negatively impact upon
employment opportunities. There was a range of opinions on the appropriate age for marriage for young
people. However, there was a general consensus that the ideal family size would be between two and three
children. They reasoned that, with a fairly small household, parents have enough time to work to earn income,
while mothers and children can enjoy good health.
GENDER AND CULTURE-RELATED ISSUES
Historically, culture and tradition limited the amount of sex information provided to those who were not
married, especially females. Elders felt that sex was not a topic fit for conversation; and if it was to be discussed
at all, it was the role of parents.
Slowly, traditional attitudes have shifted and there is now awareness that sex education is important for
young people. Young unmarried people, especially girls, are allowed to talk more openly within the family,
and have the opportunity to participate in community meetings to discuss issues concerning their health,
such as sexual and reproductive health, family planning and abortion.
Unlike our old generation, the young people in modern society have a lot of opportunities to learn about sex
and reproductive health from many sources of information, such as school, TV and radio. More practically,
some non-governmental organisations send their staff to educate people in the village, especially youth,
about HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health. Elders from previous generations heard mostly from their
parents only. Sometimes because the household is very busy with farm or business activities, children in the
household have no chance to learn about this... – FGD with mothers’ group, Sangker village, Svay Rieng
KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER IMPACTS ON HEALTH
In 2006, through its Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in Asia (RHIYA) project, UNFPA-Cambodia
conducted a youth reproductive health survey that targeted 10-24 year-olds and posed several questions
on knowledge and experiences related to illicit drug use. The survey found that awareness of prohibited
drugs among young people was very high (over 90 per cent of males and females aged 10-14, and over
98 per cent in the 15-24 age group).
70 Situation Analysis of Youth in Cambodia