News

UN member states will be meeting in New York between 9-13 April to evaluate the extent to which they have realised the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). It will be the 51st gathering of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD). This year’s theme focuses on urbanisation and international migration, and will include discussions on sexual and reproductive rights of marginalised groups in slums, as well as of migrants and refugees.

Rutgers joins over 200 global human and women's rights groups today in voicing its deep concern about the further restriction of women’s reproductive rights in Poland. The organisations call on members of the Polish parliament to listen to the voices of women across Poland and not to adopt the new “Stop Abortion” bill. This draft bill further limits the already restricted grounds on which women can legally access abortion in Poland, endangering lives and violating human rights obligations.

The 62nd Commission on the Status of Women is about to start at the United Nations in New York. Member state delegates will come together at this annual conference to evaluate the progress made regarding women’s rights and gender equality, to identify challenges, to agree on global norms and to formulate specific policies to promote gender equality and the position of women across the globe.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights are increasingly under pressure. More than 214 million women need contraceptives but do not have access to contraception of their choice. 39% of pregnancies in developing countries are unintended. The unmet need for contraception leads to negative health consequences for women and girls and has a devastating effect on educational and economic opportunities for women and girls worldwide.

The members of the Right Here Right Now Partnership have welcomed Ugandan partner Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) back to work, after a violent attack on their premises. In a joint statement, they praised HRAPF for their response and swift actions. They call upon the Ugandan government to investigate the attack and to ensure full protection in future.

AMSTERDAM – The Dutch Postcode Lottery has donated € 11,9 million euro from its Dream Fund to Rutgers and its American partner DKT International for the worldwide reduction of unsafe abortions. The Postcode Lottery made this known during the ‘Goed Geld Gala’ in Amsterdam last night. The programme ‘She Makes Her Safe Choice’ will start in Kenya and Ethiopia providing information about contraception and safe abortion and will make safe abortion methods available. It is the first time that Rutgers has received such a large amount to improve access to safe abortion.

UTRECHT – Today, exactly a year after SheDecides was founded by former minister Lilianne Ploumen, Rutgers has awarded the public donations to health workers in Kenya. In 2017, private individuals donated 500,000 euro to SheDecides. The Reproductive Health Network Kenya works towards reducing maternal mortality and morbidity caused by unsafe abortion. Thanks to the contribution, the organization can help 25,000 girls and women annually.

Most Dutch people are happy with their sex lives according to a large-scale study carried out by Rutgers. That more men than women enjoy sex is one of the main results shown in the study Sexual Health in The Netherlands 2017 which was published January 15th 2018. In particular, men over 70 and women below 25 experience sexual problems. The results also confirm that sexual coercion occurs frequently. A substantial number of homosexual and bisexual men have ever been verbally abused due to their sexual orientation. Furthermore, almost everyone agrees that sexual education should be obligatory in school.

The fact that Rutgers has been operating for fifty years is good reason for celebration! In the meantime, it has expanded from an institute that provided contraceptives and information into a centre of expertise which shares its knowledge and experience throughout the Netherlands and far beyond. Just as we once played a role in bringing about sexual emancipation in the Netherlands, so we currently support other countries in raising their own level of sexual health and rights. The some three hundred guests invited to Utrecht’s Nicolaï Church were treated to a splendid programme, highlighting both the role performed by Rutgers and the significance of the work it carries out.

Rutgers has just launched the video series “Five unread messages”. His Majesty the King was the first to be presented with the video series. Are you curious too?