Twenty-five years on, the reality of the ICPD Programme of Action is that its agenda has too often taken a global focus at the expense of local-level progress. The aim of this session is to bring together an inter-generational group of leaders and change-makers to exchange best practices, policy objectives and strategies that inspire change at the local level, and to apply these lessons to better implement the ICPD Programme of Action at the local level. This concurrent session will move ICPD25 from global to local by empowering young people to be the drivers of change in their own communities and have their sexual and reproductive health and rights fulfilled. This event will be convened by Rutgers, HIVOS, Choice of Youth and Sexuality and Dance4Life.
Obstetric fistula, one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries, is a major public health issue worldwide — especially in developing countries. Nigeria in particular accounts for more than half the prevalence and incidence of throughout Africa, and unmet need for treatment could be as high as 98%. Ending fistula in Nigeria is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), improving maternal and newborn health and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights as part of universal health coverage.This session aims to place obstetric fistula as a priority discussion point towards achieving the SDGs and ICPD Programme of Action, and will also make a case for renewed investments in prevention, treatment and reintegration of fistula survivors. This session will be convened by the Center for Population and Reproductive Health; the International Society of Media in Public Health; and Fistula Foundation Nigeria.
Political initiatives that entirely oppose SRHR at the normative and programmatic level have recently increased in their resolve despite 25 years of progress on the ICPD. This session considers the design and plot of thefar-right policy agend onn SRHR, based on the value system of those who advocate viewpoints that restrict rights and choices for all. The session will contextualize the phenomenon in the wider anti-gender movement and uncover the proliferation, tentacles and tactics of opposition movements against SRHR worldwide. It provides a platform for progressive actors to consider solutions that can respond to and counter ideologies that seek to inhibit ICPD and undermine progress towards the SDGs.This session is convened by African Parliamentary Forum on P&D; EPF; South Africa Development Community Parliamentary Forum.
Every day, millions of women and couples make decisions on whether to use a contraceptive method to delay, space or avoid pregnancy. Today, more than 300 million women in developing countries are using contraception, but more than 232 million women who want to plan their families are not using an effective method of contraception. This session will discuss high-impact actions that policymakers can take to accelerate action to end unmet need for family planning. It will highlight commitments, innovations and approaches countries are taking to expand access to reproductive health services, especially family planning, as part of achieving universal health coverage. Countries will be invited to discuss lessons learned, and to share ideas on how the global community can, together, drive progress towards expanding access to rights-based family planning in support of attaining universal health coverage.
HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age and young adolescents. This session will give young people a platform to identify challenges they have faced and solutions that work for them to address the epidemic. First, young panelists of diverse backgrounds will name the specific challenges they encounter in accessing integrated HIV and SRHR services and information. Second, decision-makers and key stakeholders will reflect on the barriers and solutions put forward. This session will be convened by AfriYAN.
How can governments equitably address the needs, rights and choices of older persons, especially older women? This dialogue will explore different national ageing strategies that focus on human rights, inclusion and gender equality. Participants will reflect on and exchange success stories and solutions that take an all-government approach to addressing this demographic mega-trend.
