The potential contribution of sexuality and gender awareness.

To make well-informed decisions about reproductive health, individuals need information about their body, gender and sexuality as well as the communication skills to convey their choices to their family, partners and health care providers. Gender and sexuality are at the core of each individual's identity; understanding and acceptance of these aspects of ourselves is basic to our ability to have healthy relations with self, family and sexual partners. Throughout an individual's life cycle information is needed about gender and sexuality changes according to needs of their age group. A holistic approach to reproductive health is needed, based in the community where people live, in the schools where young people study and in the community health care centers where they receive services.