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The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, hosted a colloquium on adolescent sexual and reproductive rights. The colloquium which focused on the   theme Unmet adolescent sexual and reproductive needs in the African region: What can human rights do? was part of scholarly activities celebrating the Centre’s 30th anniversary. The theme of the colloquium was inspired by evidence of unfulfilled sexual and reproductive needs of adolescents across the African region.

During the two days, participants from across the African region presented and interrogated papers on topical issues at the intersection between adolescent sexual and reproductive needs and human rights, including cultural practices, early/forced marriages, contraception, sterilisation, disability, HIV/AIDS, criminalisation of adolescent sexuality, sexuality education, sexual violence, religion and role of regional human rights bodies in advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents. The ultimate focus of each paper was to identify persistent gaps and challenges in the respect, protection, promotion and realisation of sexual and/or reproductive rights of adolescents as well as to advance arguments for addressing the gaps and challenges using human rights jurisprudence and practices.

Papers presented at the colloquium will be reworked by the authors with a view to submission for consideration for publication in a special issue of the African Human Rights Law Journal in 2017.