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The anticipation builds for #CPD57, as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the ICPD Programme of Action, prompting reflection on the progress made in sexual and reproductive health and rights since its inception. Where do nations stand today, three decades later, in fulfilling the commitments made? These questions demand urgent attention amid a wave of backlash and pushback on sexual and reproductive health and rights globally. We can’t take anything for granted.
That is why we are intensifying our campaign efforts to ensure that the perspectives and insights of young people are not silenced. “This generation of young people cannot be skipped; they cannot wait. Their freedom to be should not be a battle,” stresses Evi van den Dungen, advocate at Rutgers.
Despite the progress made in the past 30 years, the agenda set in 1994 is far from being reached. Gender equality and reproductive health and rights are still lacking far behind. “We are not nearly there. We see less improvements in the past three years. This is partly due to the impact of Covid-19, that showed the vulnerability of our health systems. Together with the detrimental impacts of climate change we see that women, girls and young people bear the brunt. As a result, maternal mortality rates stay stagnant and don’t decrease, millions of young people have an unmet need for contraceptives, and pushback to the agenda hinders our work,” says Evi.
“This generation of young people cannot be skipped; they cannot wait. Their freedom to be should not be a battle”
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It’s a crucial time for the world’s 1.9 billion young people
At Rutgers we believe that first and foremost, voices of young people across the globe should be represented at discussions at the CPD and in any resolutions and commitments that are, essentially, about their futures. In 2023, Rutgers launched The Heart of the Matter: Embrace the reality of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights today. This report echoes the voices of young people from 16 countries and 4 regions. It combines research and practical experience from NGOs providing services to young people every day. It provides perspective and a direction for change.
“We hope that by the conclusion of the CPD, Member States will not only reassert their commitments to the ICPD Programme of Action but also bravely endorse its agenda. Without bold leadership, both present and future generations will confront persistent gender inequality, while facing threats to their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Violence against women will persist, and maternal and child mortality rates will remain on the rise. Can we stand idly by and allow this troubling reality to persist?” questions Evi.
“Without bold leadership, both present and future generations will confront persistent gender inequality, while facing threats to their SRHR.”
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Embrace the reality of young people’s SRHR today
The Heart of the Matter report delves into data and statistics, it also illuminates the stories of young people whose experiences are reflected in the data. At the heart of our campaign we amplify the voices of young people, to ensure they sound louder and louder in the count down to the CPD57 and most definitely during the one-week conference in New York.
Leading the way are, five changemakers that inspire all of us with their passionate advocacy and their stories on what SRHR-issues and solutions are at The Heart of the Matter for them. Such as Beatrice Nyamwenge Okech from Kenya, who shares firsthand accounts of life in her community and how she believes young people are the key to curating solutions and influencing policymaking.
Stay tuned!
In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to feature perspectives from advocates like Aastha from Nepal, Jim from the Netherlands, Dina from Indonesia, and Myriam from Tunisia. To explore their advocacy messages further, visit our website on Mondays and Fridays.
