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Adolescents Under International Law: Autonomy As The Key To Reproductive Health, Aliya Haider

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

As a matter of policy, the reproductive and sexual health of adolescents matter because they comprise almost one half of the world's population. As a matter of international human rights law, adolescents have reproductive and sexual health rights. This article outlines how the international community must ensure adolescents' access to and exercise of those reproductive health rights. Governments must enable informed decision-making while also offering state protections for this vulnerable population. Without laws and policies that uphold adolescent health worldwide, future generations will needlessly suffer.