Abstract:
The main objective of this paper is to examining gender differences in youth reproductive
health (RH) knowledge in Sri Lanka. 'Youth' can be considered as the most productive age
period in life. The current National Youth Policy of Sri Lanka defines 'youth' as persons
between 15 and 29 years. Those in youth age cohorts require sufficient reproductive health
knowledge to enhance their health and wellbeing, irrespective of their gender. This study is
based on literature that has been published between year 2000 and 2014. Literature identifies
significant gender differences in terms of youth reproductive health knowledge and behaviour.
The findings reveal that fertility behavior of youth differs by residential sector. Never married
proportion is relatively high in the 15-19 age group, and urban sector male youth reports the
highest percentage of unmarried.
