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Partnering Young People to Promote their Rights for Universal Access to Reproductive Health

Partnering Young People to Promote their Rights for Universal Access to Reproductive Health. Family Planning Association of Nepal. Need for Advocacy?. Progress on MDG 5B Indicators Are all young people’s SRHR promoted and respected?

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Partnering Young People to Promote their Rights for Universal Access to Reproductive Health

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  1. Partnering Young People to Promote their Rights for Universal Access to Reproductive Health Family Planning Association of Nepal

  2. Need for Advocacy? • Progress on MDG 5B Indicators • Are all young people’s SRHR promoted and respected? • Do young people have access to accurate, non-judgmental, user-friendly information? • Do young people receive a full range of SRH services? • Are the government, community and media promoting the SRHR of young people to be free from sexual coercion and violence? • Are there spaces for young people to speak out about their SRHR concerns?

  3. Fundamental Rights • Human Rights are basic entitlements of young people • Everyone is entitled to these rights regardless of their Age, Gender, Race, Religion, Nationality, Sexual Orientation or any other factor. • Set out in International Conventions and declarations signed by Nepal Government so we are obliged to respect, protect and fulfill those rights • All young people have rights but their needs are different • Prioritise needs of young people in all areas of SRHR

  4. Principles of Sexual Rights from IPPF Declaration • Sexuality is an integral part of personhood of every human being; hence need favorable environment to enjoy all sexual rights. (Based on Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, IC on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, CEDAW, Convention on the Rights of Child) 2. Rights and protections guaranteed to people under age eighteen differ from those of adults, and must take into account the evolving capacities of the individual child to exercise rights on his or her own behalf. (Convention on the Rights of Child)

  5. Principles of Sexual Rights from IPPF Declaration 3. Non-discrimination on all human rights protection & promotion. No distinction, exclusion or restriction based on sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, sexual history…. (IC on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) 4. Sexuality and pleasure are central aspect of being human, whether or not a person chooses to reproduce. (Campaign for a Convention on Sexual Rights and Reproductive Rights, October 2006)

  6. Principles of Sexual Rights from IPPF Declaration • Ensuring sexual rights for all includes a commitment to freedom and protection from harm (International Convention on the Rights of Child) 6. Sexual Rights may be subject only to those limitations for rights and freedom of others and greater welfare of society (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, IC on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) • Obligations to respect, protect and fulfill sexual rights and freedoms (The Human Rights Based Approach to Development Cooperation: Towards a common understanding at UN Agencies

  7. Articles of Sexual Rights from IPPF Declaration 1. Right to equality, equal protection of law and freedom from all forms of discrimination based on age, sex, gender, sexuality…(Universal Declaration of Human Rights) 2: Right to participation for young people regardless of sex, sexuality or gender to influence communities and government to prioritize SRHR (UN 2003 Statement of Common Understanding, CEDAW) 3. Right to Life, liberty, security and bodily integrity: No woman’s life should be put at risk by reason of pregnancy, coercion or violence. (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966)

  8. Articles of Sexual Rights based on IPPF Declaration 4. Right to privacy in relationships, confidential SRH services, to exercise sexual autonomy in reproductive choices (International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights Article 17) 5. Right to personal autonomy and recognition before law; to decide freely on sexual matters, partners without discrimination, respecting rights of others and children (UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and PunishTrafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime) 6. Right to freedom of thought, opinion and expression on sexuality without limitations from religious texts, beliefs, customs and political idealogy. (Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, Art 19)

  9. Articles of Sexual Rights based on IPPF Declaration 7. Right to health and benefits of scientific progress (International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Right, Art 20) 8. Right to education & information on SRH to enable full, free and informed consent. (CEDAW Art 10, ICPD) 9. Right to choose whether or not to marry and to plan a family, whether or not, how and when to have children. (CEDAW Art 16) 10. Right to accountability and redress against violation of sexual rights with restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and non-repetition. Yagyakarta Principle 28 & 29

  10. Young people’s SRHR • The Right to be yourself • The Right to know • The Right to protect yourself and be protected • The Right to quality health care • The Right to be involved in planning programs, at all levels • The Right to be free from discrimination

  11. Rights to have Services • Access to comprehensive SRH services for all young people e.g. affordable contraceptives, STI, HIV, safe abortion • Access to condoms and information on how to use them correctly and how they contribute to safer sex and sexual pleasure • Access to Emergency contraception • Access to safe legal abortion services: • Parents need to guide young people and not make decisions for them. Parental consent for contraception or abortion are not mandatory.

  12. Roles of Advocates for Rights of Young people • Biggest challenge: Young people’s SRHR is surrounded with MISCONCEPTIONS. We need to partner young people to dispel myths and remove them. • Raise Awareness about young people’s rights • Engage young people to promote their SRHR • Promote acceptance of young people’s SRHR within our communities, national and international levels • Identify gaps in implementation to enforce existing laws • Identify and mobilize to change in law, policy and practices to improve young people’s lives • Ensure duty bearers respect, protect and fulfill young people’s SRHR

  13. RemovingMisconceptions about ASRH 1.Giving SRHR information to young people will just confuse them. They are too young to make decisions about what is best for them. • Evidence shows giving young people complete and accurate information on their SRHR does not lead to confusion (Collins et al, 2002; Santelli et al, 2006; Ingham, 2005). 2.CSE encourages young people to have sex. • This is false. CSE does not lead to earlier or increased sexual activity (Collins et al, 2002; Santelli et al, 2006; Kirby, 2010). 3. CSE attempts to remove traditional values • CSE does not discourage values. Instead of imposing values on young people, it helps them to identify their own values and empowers them lead their lives according to these values.

  14. RemovingMisconceptions about ASRH 4. Abstinence is the only contraceptive method that is 100% effective. • Abstinence confuses people to believe that only vaginal intercourse is sexual, being unaware about risks of oral or anal sex. 5. Abstinence is the only appropriate course of action suitable for young people. • More than half of adolescent population is reported to be sexually active. UN Convention on Rights of Child mentions young people should be free of discrimination (Article 2), access to health care (A 24), information to make decisions about their health (A 17) including family planning (A 24). 6. As condoms fail, telling teens to use condoms will give them false sense of protection. When used correctly and consistently, condoms are 98% effective. 7. It is useless to provide SRH education to youth with no job or home. • Sex education is very important for unemployed or homeless youth who are at greater risk of unintended pregnancy and STI.

  15. Advocacy by Young People • Young people are the best instruments of advocating for themselves: • Advocacy is important because it addresses the root cause of problems, leading to longer-term, more sustainable benefits for young people in their communities • Changes in 3 faculties: Head, Heart and Hands: • Steps of Advocacy: • 1. Identifying necessary changes; requires consulting stakeholders esp. young people • Problems e.g. young girl is taken out of school • Causes e.g. Pregnancy, family poverty • Change required e.g. Legislation, income generation for family • FPAN supported young people to produce Shadow Report on MDG 5B in 2010 prior to the MDG Summit

  16. Steps of Advocacy • 2. Identifying Target groups: Primary & Secondary targets • 3. Analyse Targets: Supporters, opposition, undecided, unaware • 4. Prioritise the targets; may need to switch targets • 5. Form a Coalition to combine intelligence, resources, audiences • Basis for Partnerships: • 1. Individuals or even organizations have their own limited spheres of influence, experiences and reach. • 2. Often, somebody else or another organization can add to what you do to synergize. • 3. Partnerships serve to increase the impact.

  17. Recommendations of the Youth Shadow MDG 5B Report • 1. CSE needs to be included as compulsory part of the school curriculum. • 2. Stricter implementation of laws on child marriage • 3. Youth participation in policymaking • 4. Develop youth-friendly health service system • 5. YICs in each VDC • 6. Train health service providers for YFS • 7. Organize youth-friendly outreach services • 8. Timely supply of contraceptives at all levels • 9. Provide Reproductive Health Counseling services for young people • 10. Recruit young FCHV • 11. Disseminate youth reproductive health messages via local mass media (e.g. FM radio) in local languages

  18. Alliance between Young People & Duty bearers • Young peers, family, parents, school, teachers, youth clubs & organizations, women’s groups, health and social service professionals, community leaders, celebrities and public figures, media reps, NGOs, parliamentarians, legislators • National & International Youth Networks e.g. FPAN, Y-Peer, SARYN • Different Ministries • National RHCC chaired by DHS and district RHCC • Safe Motherhood Committee, Family Planning Sub-committee and National Adolescent & Youth RH Sub-committee chaired by FHD • Network Addressing Women’s Reproductive Rights in Nepal, Coordinated by FHD • NGOCC including 34 NGOs, INGOs, bilateral and multilateral donors chaired by FPAN

  19. Partnering Young people for CSE • CSE provides the information needed to understand sexuality and sexual relationships and to remain healthy • It explains about sexual and reproductive rights and helps young people to support others who may have less access to services and education, and are therefore less able to exercise their rights • It helps to make informed life choices, including when and when not to engage in sexual activities and to prevent the unwanted consequences of sexual relationships • It helps to communicate more effectively and negotiate with their partner on consensual and safer sex • It helps to prepare young people to become an active citizen in their society

  20. Partnering Teachers and Schools on CSE • CSE has an important role to play in schools to promote SRHR and to prevent HIV, sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies • It offers a comprehensive approach to address sexuality and sexual relationships • It provides relevant age-appropriate information, by helping to clarify and develop values and support self-development and self-esteem, and by contributing to a positive approach to health and well-being • It helps young people to make healthy and positive choices about their sexual and reproductive health

  21. Partnering Parents about CSE • CSE helps to prepare young people to become healthy and sexually responsible adults • It is supportive when discussing difficult and sensitive issues with children about sexual relationships and sexual and reproductive health • It does not promote sexual promiscuity; research shows that it helps to delay sexual activity and • It promotes safer behaviour

  22. Partnering Local Policy makers on CSE • CSE enables schools to promote active citizenship and essential life skills and is therefore an important component of the curriculum • It is an effective tool to promote human rights • It supports positive health outcomes for all

  23. Partnering Ministry of Education on CSE • CSE is an important aspect in positive development of young people • It promotes critical thinking, skills needed in all aspects of education and development of children • It helps to promote human rights education • It integrates health, social, cultural and moral issues that are crucial to the development of participation in society in a positive way • It helps to introduce innovative ways of interactive learning, which are proven to be effective ways of learning • It is built on scientific evidence • It promotes a positive approach to sexuality, which has proved to be effective for young people in their lives.

  24. Partnering Ministry of Health & Population on CSE • CSE is a comprehensive approach to SRH that helps to make linkages across reproductive health, HIV, sexual health and human rights • It will contribute to strategies to prevent unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and HIV among young people in the country • Help to meet demand for services and contraceptives • Help to reach vulnerable young people in society • Help to address stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV, MSM, lesbians and other groups • It is built on scientific evidence

  25. Partnering Donors on CSE • CSEis a vital factor in implementing the Millennium Development Goals 5 as well as other MDGs (links shown later) • CSE contributes to sustainable development • CSE is an effective tool to prevent HIV, sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy • Hence, greater financial resources are necessary to support CSE.

  26. Contributions of CSE to MDGs • 1.Young people will be better able to seek education and employment so they are less likely to fall into poverty • 1.CSE helps them to lead healthier lives from information, empowerment and greater control over their sexual health • 2.Primary education including CSE helps young people avoid unwanted pregnancies and other reproductive health problems so they will not disrupt their education. • 2.Schooling of future mothers leads to better health when they will be mothers, welfare of their children as well as their education attainment • 2. A mother with few years of formal education is considerably more likely to send her children to school (World Bank, 2009)

  27. Contributions of CSE to MDGs • 3.CSE addresses gender issues, different norms and expectations on them. • 3.CSE empowers young women to develop their attitudes and values so they can take control of their sexual and reproductive health and decision making. • 3.CSE promotes the role of men in gender equity. • 4&5.CSE leads to better reproductive and maternal health as well as survival and care of their children. Healthier and informed mothers are better placed to care for their children. • 6. Young people will be better informed and catered on their SRH needs, thus protecting them from HIV.

  28. Thank you !!! .

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