Young bodies, small minds? Applying the capabilities approach to girls’ sexual and reproductive rights

Abstract

Thus far, the Capabilities Approach, as described in the works of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, has not been applied to girls’ sexual and reproductive rights in academic publications. To help fill this gap, the present contribution will analyse the contextual difficulties that girls – in their dual condition as children and females – have to face in making their own decisions regarding sexual and reproductive issues. It will try to justify why the capabilities approach is an accurate theoretical framework from which to address the lack of implementation of girls’ rights and some of their ‘central capabilities’ (bodily health, bodily integrity, emotions and practical reason). Sexual health care services and education will be presented as the key ‘conversion factors’ for girls in the transition from their imposed status of full vulnerability to the recognition of their agency, even though this may imply overriding parental rights.