From April 23-27 2012, the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights will participate in the 45th Session of the Commission on Population and Development for which the theme is Adolescents and Youth. The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) represents an important space through which the YCSRR has continuously advanced a progressive youth sexual and reproductive rights agenda. Originating out of the 5 year review of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the YCSRR has a strong understanding of the ICPD agenda and the importance of ensuring that commitments outlined in the ICPD Programme of Action (PoA) are reached. Increasingly, the progressive ICPD agenda, and other international documents, have come under threat by actors threatening to weaken previously agreed upon commitments. Now, more than ever, it is essential that progressive youth advocates speak out in support of their sexual and reproductive rights. In order to ensure that previously agreed upon commitments are safeguarded, the YCSRR delegation to the #CPD45 will work to:  protect and promote young people’s, specifically young women and adolescents girls’, access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, including access to safe abortion services and modern contraceptives;
ensure young people’s access to comprehensive sexuality education; and
ensure gender equality and the empowerment of young women and girls.
Looking towards #CPD45, we, as progressive youth advocates, need to be aware of the impact that the outcomes of the CPD will have on our daily lives. Decisions reached during #CPD45 will have a lasting impact on the lives of young women, and men. 2012 is a critical time to ensure that youth SRR advocates are a part of the decision-making processes that will ensure that the ICPD PoA is achieved.
In the lead up to and during the #CPD45, the YCSRR delegation will provide regular updates related to the progress of the CPD as well as other news, events and happenings at the United Nations.
Breaking news!
April 20 2012
Congratulations to one of our inspiring members, Oriana Lopez, for conducting an amazing interview on young women's access to abortion. During the interview, Oriana discusses the current challenges facing young women and their experience accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Mexico. (Pls note the interview is in Spanish). April 23 2012
Today, the YCSRR released 1st issue of the #CPD45 edition of its event-based newsletter, the watchdog. This edition of watchdog features articles from youth SRR advocates from around the world, on issues related to: gender equality; sexual orientation and gender identity; the International Conference on Population and Development’s (ICPD) Program of Action (PoA); comprehensive Sexuality Education; and much more! Thank you to all those who contributed articles for this edition of the watchdog. We’ll be releasing a 2nd issue later this week, stay tuned! April 26 2012
The YCSRR delegation at #CPD45 has released another edition of the watchdog! This issue contains accounts form young people on events taking place at the UN, including a special thank you to delegations that have come out in support of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and rights-based approaches to SRHR. This edition of the watchdog also includes the oral statement, delivered to country delegations during the plenary session, SRHR and Intervention by the Catholic Hierarchy, and reflections on this session of the CPD by a youth advocate from Latin America.
April 27 2012
With less than 1 day left to negotiate and agree upon a final outcome document for the 45th Session of the CPD, the YCSRR delegation is working hard, with country delegations and civil society to ensure that our sexual and reproductive rights are guaranteed and promoted. This 3rd and final edition of the watchdog contains a call to governments to make a stance for our rights, our health and our lives, as well as a one-on-one interview with YCSRR member from Paraguay, who is attending #CPD45. Other articles include a detailed analysis of the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY) and it’s relevant to the CPD, as well as a look at what the family means for a young sexual and reproductive rights activist from Mexico. Be sure to check out the ‘Round of Applause’ section for an overview of country delegations that have stood in support of our SRR throughout #CPD2012!
Web-versions of both issues of the watchdog are attached below. Please disseminate widely :)
Stay tuned for more updates here! Also, be sure to follow up on twitter, and like us on facebook, to receive breaking news from the #CPD45. |
