The first step to improving conditions for women must be to strengthen their sexual and reproductive health and rights – an issue concerning which Africa has some of the world’s worst indicators. Simply put, women must be allowed to decide, free of coercion or violence, about their sexuality and health; if, when, and whom to marry; and whether and when to become a parent.
改善妇女条件的第一步必然是强化她们的性和生殖卫生和权利——在这个问题上，非洲的一些指标在全世界排名倒数。简言之，必须让妇女在不受压迫和暴力威胁的情况下决定她们的性和健康；决定是否、何时和与谁结婚；决定是否和何时成为母亲。如果不为妇女和女孩提供做出自己的决定所需要的信息、教育和服务，就无法实现这一点。