Young People in Jharkhand : Sexual and Reproductive Health

Jharkhand is, one of the few states in the country that has developed a specific youth policy in which its commitment to redressing youth vulnerabilities is outlined. The Jharkhand Youth Policy 2007 recognises the need to empower youth and reduce their vulnerabilities. It advocates multi-sectoral actions in the areas of education, employment and health; and it recognises the importance of making youth friendly services accessible and of strengthening the capacity of service providers to address the needs of youth in acceptable ways. Moreover, it underscores the importance of providing counselling and services to youth, addressing their nutritional and reproductive health vulnerabilities and countering early marriage. Efforts to improve the sexual and reproductive health of youth are reiterated in the state’s Health Policy. The objective of this paper is to synthesise, from available evidence, what is known about the sexual and reproductive health of young people in Jharkhand, and draw from this synthesis, implications for policy and programmes.