Minors Reproductive rights

in many jurisdictions minors require parental consent or parental notification in order access various reproductive services, such contraception, abortion, gynecological consultations, testing stds etc. requirement minors have parental consent/notification testing hiv/aids controversial, particularly in areas disease endemic, , sensitive subject. balancing minors rights versus parental rights considered ethical problem in medicine , law, , there have been many court cases on issue in us. important concept recognized since 1989 convention on rights of child of evolving capacities of minor, namely minors should, in accordance maturity , level of understanding, involved in decisions affect them.

youth denied equal access reproductive health services because health workers view adolescent sexual activity unacceptable, or see sex education responsibility of parents. providers of reproductive health have little accountability youth clients, primary factor in denying youth access reproductive health care. in many countries, regardless of legislation, minors denied basic reproductive care, if not accompanied parents: in india, instance, in 2017, 17-year-old girl rejected family due pregnancy, rejected hospitals , gave birth in street. in recent years lack of reproductive rights adolescents has been concern of international organizations, such unfpa.

mandatory involvement of parents in cases minor has sufficient maturity understand situation considered health organization violation of minor s rights , detrimental heath. world health organization has criticized parental consent/notification laws:

discrimination in health care settings takes many forms , manifested when individual or group denied access health care services otherwise available others. can occur through denial of services needed groups, such women. examples include specific individuals or groups being subjected physical , verbal abuse or violence; involuntary treatment; breaches of confidentiality and/or denial of autonomous decision-making, such requirement of consent treatment parents, spouses or guardians; , lack of free , informed consent. [...] laws , policies must respect principles of autonomy in health care decision-making; guarantee free , informed consent, privacy , confidentiality; prohibit mandatory hiv testing; prohibit screening procedures not of benefit individual or public; , ban involuntary treatment , mandatory third-party authorization , notification requirements.

according unicef: when dealing sexual , reproductive health, obligation

to inform parents , obtain consent becomes significant barrier consequences adolescents’ lives , public health in general. 1 specific issue seen form of hypocrisy of legislators of having higher age of medical consent purpose of reproductive , sexual health age of sexual consent - in such cases law allows youth engage in sexual activity, not allow them consent medical procedures may arise being sexually active; unicef states on sexual , reproductive health matters, minimum age of medical consent should never higher age of sexual consent.