Gender-based discrimination remains one of the greatest threats to women's health and lives worldwide, despite domestic, regional, and international human rights guarantees of equality, reproductive and sexual rights, and a range of other rights.

The paper presents the consensus statement of the African Regional Consultation on Adolescent-Friendly Health Services (AFHS) facilitated by WHO, and UNICEF which was held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 17 to 21 October 2000.