In September 2005, the United Nations Children’s Rights Committee, in its review of Russia’s compliance with the Children’s Rights Convention, expressed concern about adolescents’ lack of access to information on reproductive health and the need to develop comprehensive sex education programs and services. The Center for Reproductive Rights drew the Committee’s attention to these issues in a shadow letter highlighting the Russian government’s failure to address the inadequate laws and policies related to the reproductive rights of adolescents and girls in the Russian Federation.

The Center’s letter pointed to the limited access to reproductive health care for adolescents and girls, especially in regard to family planning and information services. The Center’s letter demonstrated that access to affordable modern contraception and safe abortion services were hard to obtain for adolescents in Russia and that the result has led to high incidences of unsafe abortion with increased rates of maternal mortality. The letter also addressed the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Russia and the lack of funding for preventative care in the Russian health care system.

Read the letter >>

In its Concluding Observations, the Committee voiced serious concern about the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and the pervasiveness of risky sexual behavior patterns amongst adolescents. The Committee articulated concern for measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission and discrimination. The Committee expressed its apprehension on Russia’s lack of commitment to adolescent health and development with regards to General Comment No.4 (2003). The CRC also articulated concern about adolescent’s financial inability to obtain contraceptives and the prevalence of teenage pregnancies and abortions.

To address these problems, the Committee recommended that the Russian government improve access to reproductive health information and resources so that adolescents can fully enjoy their rights as set out in the Convention. The Committee advised that the government take steps to incorporate reproductive health education in school curricula and raise awareness about contraceptive protection and HIV/AIDS. The Committee recommended that there be adequate financial support and programs for children and newborns living with HIV/AIDS. The Committee also recommended that the government seek assistance from international agencies with expertise in adolescent reproductive health. The Center for Reproductive Rights hopes that the Russian government will take the Committee’s observations seriously and take immediate steps to implement its recommendations.

Read the concluding observations >>

Return to our United Nations homepage >>
Return to our Worldwide homepage >>