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Creating a Favorable Policy Environment for Young Adult Reproductive Health: a Legal and Regulatory Framework

Creating a Favorable Policy Environment for Young Adult Reproductive Health: a Legal and Regulatory Framework. Barbara Seligman, Norine Jewell, John Paxman Focus on Young Adults Program. What Do We Mean by “Policy”?. Laws, policies, regulatory measures

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Creating a Favorable Policy Environment for Young Adult Reproductive Health: a Legal and Regulatory Framework

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  1. Creating a Favorable Policy Environment for Young Adult Reproductive Health: a Legal and Regulatory Framework Barbara Seligman, Norine Jewell, John Paxman Focus on Young Adults Program

  2. What Do We Mean by “Policy”? • Laws, policies, regulatory measures • Constitutional provisions, legislation, executive orders, judicial decisions, ministerial level decrees, standards of practice, national plans, programmatic goals. • Practices • Service providers, educators.

  3. Definition of Terms • Young adults • Young adults’ right to reproductive health

  4. Requirements to Secure Young Adults’ Right to RH • Access to information and services • The self-esteem and self-confidence to use information and services • Range of life options

  5. Legal and Policy Analysis Relationships between YARH and Laws and Policies • Healthy, responsible sexual development and behavior • Safe, voluntary sexual activity • Safe, voluntary fertility regulation • Health pregnancy, delivery, post-partum and postabortion care Elements Self esteem and the self - confidence to use services Life choices that influence motivation to use services Access to quality services Essential requirements Conditions governing users Laws and policies Conditions governing providers

  6. Policy Activities to Promote Young Adult Reproductive Health (YARH) • Assessment of the policy environment • Tools for achieving legal and policy change • Resources to support legal and policy reform

  7. Five Steps in the Policy Assessment Process • Decide what you want to assess • Review documentary sources of YARH policy • Interview key individuals • Evaluate laws, policies and identify gaps • Identify key policy issues for reform

  8. Five Steps in the Policy Assessment Process • Decide what you want to assess • Review documentary sources of YARH policy • Interview key individuals • Evaluate laws, policies and identify gaps • Identify key policy issues for reform

  9. Decide What You Want to Assess • Assessment priorities vary from country to country • Assessment is part of a long-term strategy to improve policies and practices affecting service delivery • Broader, contextual issues

  10. Five Steps in the Policy Assessment Process • Decide what you want to assess • Review documentary sources of YARH policy • Interview key individuals • Evaluate laws, policies and identify gaps • Identify key policy issues for reform

  11. Review Documentary Sources of Policy • Advertising; media regulation for medical and pharmaceutical products; curriculae, health service guidelines • Public health legislation; MOH policies; guidelines for infectious disease control • Family law; education; employment codes; criminal and civil laws; social customs

  12. Five Steps in the Policy Assessment Process • Decide what you want to assess • Review documentary sources of YARH policy • Interview key individuals • Evaluate laws, policies and identify gaps • Identify key policy issues for reform

  13. Interview Key Individuals:WHO? · · • Political leaders and executives • Legislators, jurists and lawyers • Ministerial technocrats • Public and private health care professionals, program managers • Educators • Youth and parent groups, women’s organizations

  14. Interview Key Individuals:WHAT? · · • Is there an official, national policy affecting YARH? • Is there an official national program of YARH? • What laws and official policies influence YARH services? • Who are the major groups and individuals that influence YARH? • What are the major legal and policy issues are which affect YARH?

  15. Five Steps in the Policy Assessment Process • Decide what you want to assess • Review documentary sources of YARH policy • Interview key individuals • Evaluate laws, policies and identify gaps • Identify key policy issues for reform

  16. Evaluate Laws, Policies, and Identify Gaps • Policy Area • RH information; contraceptive services; STI/HIV prevention/ management • Issue or Problem • No formal RH curriculum in schools; eligibility restrictions on contraceptives • Consequences • Unintended pregnancy, STI/HIV infection, discourage health-seeking behavior

  17. Identify and Evaluate Key Policy Issues for Reform • Laws, policies binding? • Magnitude of effects? • “Costs” of achieving reform? • Stakeholders; positions, power • Beneficiaries

  18. Some Conclusions.... • Policies support programs • Can’t consider in isolation of programs • Support may be direct or indirect • Need to consider policies and practices that go beyond increasing RH service availability • Self-esteem • Life options • Need more documentation and sharing of experience

  19. Creating a Favorable Policy Environment for Young Adult Reproductive Health: a Legal and Regulatory Framework THANK YOU

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