Rocking BHUTAN!

 

Established on 10^th February 2011, with 25 members.  It is a youth network consisting of various youth organizations and groups collaborating to work towards a common cause:  creating awareness among the public on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and addressing issues like Gender Based Violence.

DAISAN is initiated and managed entirely by the RENEW volunteers with funds from IPPF (International Planned Parenthood Federation).

On 26th December 2011), 21 DAISAN members were briefed on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender, Gender Based Violence and Voluntarism. DAISAN members participated actively in all the group activities and exercise. Opinions were shared, questions were answered and feed-backs were well received.

On 27^th December 2011, participants were briefed on Rights and Communication. They were divided into groups and given the task to define and explain about rights and communication in their own respective word. A member from each group volunteered to explain their work and was open to feed-backs/questions. The activities were interesting and educative.

DAISAN Established in Paro Dzongkhag

On 28^th December 2011, a total number of 33 youth volunteers showed up for the workshop. They had very little knowledge about the organization and RENEW was introduced to the participants. They were shy and uncomfortable in the beginning. The students participated in various group activities/exercise on Voluntarism, Rights and Responsibilities, Domestic Violence, Gender and Gender Based Violence and SRHR.

On the second day participants were much more relaxed and comfortable with us. Energizer Games were conducted to find an alternative way to communicate.

Participants were made to prepare Action Plan for 2012. Presentation on Action Plan was presented by the members. Active participation was seen on the second day

World AIDS Day-1st December,2011

 

This year’s World AIDS Day (WAD) was celebrated at Nazhoen Pelri, Thimphu. It is a day commemorated around the world to raise awareness of the continuing issue of HIV and AIDS, and for all members of impacted societies to come together in support and solidarity.

The theme for this year’s WAD was “Getting to Zero” with three broad strategies Zero Infection, Zero Death and Zero Discrimination. The event was jointly organized by DAISAN, RENEW, LHAKSAM, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and UN System in Bhutan.

The occasion was graced by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Goodwill Ambassador to UNFPA in Bhutan and the Founder and President of RENEW.

Her Majesty in her statement stated that that “This year’s World AIDS Day Theme “Getting to Zero” supports the attainment of the Millennium Development goals (MDGS) of halting the spread of HIV and AIDS and mitigating the epidemic. Considering the evidence at hand and keeping in view local realities I strongly recommend that we focus on two important areas, “zero new HIV infections among infants and children” and “zero discrimination” for the infected and affected population. If we can achieve these milestones, we are on the road to ‘getting to zero’.

RENEW’s mandate encompasses the violence against women as being closely correlated with HIV /AIDS.  Globally, women and girls are enormously affected by this virus and their vulnerability in living as HIV Positive.  In many parts of the world, women are often infected without their knowledge when their partners are positive. The dis-empowerment facing so many women to be able to make decisions about their intimate relationships, have access to protection against sexually transmitted diseases, or be socially authorized to demand that a partner use protection leads to numbers of women.

The most unique and touching moment of the event was disclosure by a member from LHAKSAM, a newly established NGO for people living with HIV/AIDS. He shared his life experiences and the discrimination he faced when his family and friends came to know about it.

Her Majesty launched the Bhutan National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of STIs, HIV and AIDS followed by awarding of certificates to Condom Man in recognition of his advocacy efforts and Mr. Wangda Dorji (Executive Director, LHKSAM) for coming forward to share his experiences.

The event was presented by RENEW’s Youth Volunteers called  Druk Adolescent Initiative for Sexual Awareness Network (DAISAN).

Smile on their sweet faces!

For the 4^th consecutive time the youth technical advisory committee of the Family Planning association of Srilanka held the kids stationary items donation programme on the 22^nd of December. More than 100 children and parents were gathered for the event and the kids were waiting to have fun and to get their new stationary pack with smiling eyes. Some of them were playing with balloons, dancing for the music beats and were playing games with our entertainer Kapila. They were making noises of animals, jumping here and there, singing, dancing and going in lines like a train whistling and hooting.

The yummy chocolate donuts made them have more and more of them and then they were even more thrilled with the face painting. They were eagerly waiting in lines to get their face painted. Spider man, superman, Ben ten, butterflies, flowers, cars, Mickey mouse and many pretty paintings were on their faces and the kids were happily posing for photos.

Then they were even more thrilled by the magic show in which they won yummy sweets, caps and hand bands from the magician. They also got the chance to perform magic with the magic wand and the kids felt that they were the magician at that moment. The magician took out rabbits from papers, made Faluda from water, got flowers out of clothes, and many more interesting things.

Excitement was not over. Here comes Santa clause with sweets. Santa clause danced with the kids gave them yummy toffees and even asked general knowledge questions from them. Finally after dancing till they got very tired the Hony President of the FPASL, National council members, Dep Director of FPASL, Director HIV and Advocacy, SARYN coordinator and many more invitees came there and gave away their new year’s school items.

They all went home happily with their bags full of new school items, tummies filled with good food and a lot of fun experiences!

The 7 billionth moment…?

By Arushi Singh

What can the 7 billionth person on Earth expect from their life? Will they grow to be able to freely express, experience and examine their sexuality? Will they have the ‘luxury’ to be the most sexually liberated person just because they were born in a magical 7 billionth moment? A moment that enabled all 7 billion of us to experience a sexual epiphany, a moment that gave us all the urge to explore our own bodies, our own prejudices, our own boxes for the ‘others’ in our lives.

Coming from a part of the world that constitutes over a 7^th of the world’s billions, i.e. India, it can sometimes be daunting to imagine where we would all fit. South Asia tends to be crowded, noisy, dusty, sweaty, and generally packed with people. We also have among the youngest populations in the world. Despite this, the denial of sexuality, as a concept that can be under the control of each individual, is rampant. It’s difficult for people to accept the notion that an individual, a woman, a young girl can have desires, choices and the ability to act on them. Especially to do with sex, reproduction, and their bodies.

A culture that upholds the community and the family over the individual may not always be welcoming to the idea of individual choice. In fact, even sexuality, being a concept that is intrinsically linked to the individual, is a difficult one to come to terms with in South Asia. As a young person in this region, the idea of the world having a 7 billionth person in it seems irrelevant. So many young people have pressing concerns like the lack of adequate food, inability to access education, finding profitable employment, lack of health facilities, among others, that worrying about the number of zeros in 7 billion is unimaginable. The ‘demographic dividend’ will be a chimera, unless governments, donors and implementers on the ground realize the importance of ensuring that these young people are released from such concerns.

Since my mandate (and passion in life) is to focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, I would like to highlight the keys that may lead to a 7 billionth moment – perhaps not at the exact time that the 7 billionth person is born, but may be by the time this 7 billionth person is ready to make a choice around their sexual or reproductive health. Crazy as it may sound, comprehensive sexuality education that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they need to determine and enjoy their sexuality, is one of those keys. Why? Because it helps them acquire accurate information, develop life skills like critical thinking and negotiation, nurture open-mindedness and non-judgmental attitudes. This is not just me saying it – there’s evidence [A1] to prove it!

Linked with this is the other key – youth friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. What are those?[A2]  Confidential services that provide choices, promote rights and respond to the realities of young people’s lives. These are services that young people trust and want to continue using.

And to enable these two keys to be effective, partnering with young people and advocating for their rights need to go hand in hand with them. Youth-adult partnership means that both young people and adults need to embrace change and be ready to stand by and support each other for mutual benefits, underpinned by democratic values and principles of non-discrimination and equity.

Hierarchical societies like those in South Asia find it hard to engage with young people as equals, but it is not impossible. As a South Asian (and an erstwhile young person!), I have seen firsthand the changes possible among adults in powerful positions. As an example, the governance system of the International Planned Parenthood Federation in South Asia, wholeheartedly embraced the participation of the South Asia Regional Youth Network. Young people share power with adults and make policy decisions for the organisation. And this is only one story among others of SRH services that match young people’s needs discovered through young researchers in Bangladesh, youth centres run by young people in conservative communities in Pakistan, and peer educators and young activists demanding sexuality education as part of the school curriculum in Nepal.

So yes – difficult, tortuous and fantastical as it may seem – that 7 billionth moment is possible. But we all need to believe in it. We all need to believe and strive towards arriving at that sexual epiphany – whether we are activists, development workers, policy makers, funders or just ordinary citizens. We owe it not only to the (almost mystical) 7 billionth person, but also to ourselves. In fact, most importantly to ourselves, to open our minds, hearts and bodies (metaphorically at least!) to the magic of humanity and sexuality.

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NewGen Leaders – A deal with Existing Leaders

By Milinda Rajapaksha

Vince said it right:

‘Rainbow colors meet at the Horizon: I saw it herein Philippines at the NewGen leaders training’.

NewGen Leaders is not just another manual or tool kit to facilitate training programmes. The seven of us, representing 5 countries, met in Bangkok at the beginning of this year to form the idea of New Generation Leadership.

Now firstly, is it possible to train someone to be a leader? If yes, what does being a leader mean to young people? What are the unique challenges this generation face and what would be the meaning of leadership for coming generation? Those are the big questions that we struggled to find answers for. Youth LEAD wanted to develop a training manual to train the young people of today to become leaders of the coming generation; leaders of a new generation.  The leadership applicable to this generation is simply beyond classroom training, given the context of existing challenges. We had to think wisely about the characteristics of a future leader in a new generation.

NewGen Leaders was not just about making new leaders. When I think back about the participants of both trials in Korea and Philippines, they already comprised of many leadership attributes. They were young people who have been working in their communities for years. They have demonstrated commitment, capability, dedication and predominantly leadership! It was training for Leaders about Leadership: an enormous challenge! How do you challenge, negotiate, discuss, participate and conduct 5 day training for young leaders using a bunch of other young leaders as facilitators? That was the best part of this Manual: the training structure we adopted made all the participants equal and grounded. We used games and activities to uplift their existing or hidden skills. Overall, it was a journey of learning. Thank you Helen for pulling out our innovation to lay it out on a single plate. That whole sense of collaboration was a lot of fun!

At the end of 5 days, the young people came up to us. They had many things to say. One recounted, “I am surprised about my communication skills, it seemed like it existed but I didn’t know how to take it out and use for my existing advocacy work. Now I know what to do in future’.  NewGen is not just about formulating new Leaders but exploring existing skills and sharpening them for future challenges.

NewGen Leaders are not only about new generation. For me, Youth-Adult partnership is the most crucial term, jargon and practice in this time and age. In particular, when it comes to HIV and AIDS movement, there is a huge gap of providing young people a genuine opportunity to take on the leadership of the AIDS response. The same people have been running and leading organization , and making decisions for the last few decades. It is sad to see young people are moving from organization to organization, project to project and also many are leaving the sector due to lack of growth opportunities. Young KAP, for instance, was overshadowed by elders and rarely do we find YKAPs take new initiatives. NewGen Leaders was launched in an environment where building a new layer of leaders was essential to strengthen the AIDS response in Asia. During the last feedback session, Vince, ED of The Seven Sisters, was in tears after seeing the performance of the Youth LEAD team. NewGen Leaders is a genuine effort to build leadership among YKAP in Asia and Pacific. The whole programme was also a reflection of how much our adult generation is genuine about their second layer of leaders: a remarkable feat, indeed! Thanks Jeff, Phili and Vermont for showing us how this generation can work together through diversity and inclusion: two essential ingredients to prepare it for success!

NewGen is not only about training. As I previously mentioned, we are already leaders out there. On top of the leadership hybrid, NewGen is adding more fire to young people’s motivation and hopes. For me, the most important thing now is the ‘opportunity’ young leaders need to take from this; an opportunity to demonstrate the leadership of YKAP in your organization, in your projects and in your policy formation. As we all know, this new transformation would always encounter a bed of roses, but the AIDS movement will not be able to go much further without providing a genuine ‘opportunity’ for young people to take on ‘leadership’. That is why I say NewGen is not only about training young people but also about uplifting the AIDS response in Asia. And finally, Vince, a thank you for those genuine tears.

Youth Forum Declaration – 6th APCRSH & R

6^thAsia Pacific Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

YOUTH FORUM DECLARATION

19 October 2011

 

 

WHEREAS, young people (10-24) comprise a significant demographic sector of Asia and Pacific which accounts for half of the world’s young population and some 850 million in the region, making us an important asset and source of opportunity for national and regional development;

 

WHEREAS, a large number of young people are engaged in high risk sexual behaviour of which most are unprotected, leading to issues on sexual and reproductive health such as early and unintended pregnancies, STIs including HIV and AIDS, unsafe abortion, gender-based violence; the adolescent birth rate is 53.7 for South Asia and 40.4 in South East Asia[1]. Young girls and young women are more at risk of experiencing pregnancy-related complications and may resort to unsafe abortion, thus further increasing maternal mortality.  This can be attributed to lack of comprehensive sexuality education, access to reliable and unbiased sources of information and youth friendly services.

 

WHEREAS, developing adequate, accessible, affordable and quality Youth -Friendly Health Care Services which includes easy access to information and supply of contraceptives, maternal health services, confidential counselling- regardless of civil status to promote every young person’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

 

WHEREAS, there is an increasing number of new STI, HIV and AIDS cases among young people. Providing access to treatment ,care and support among Young People Living with HIV as well as their involvement in interventions to specific key population  such as harm reduction strategies is important to halt and reverse the spread of infection;

WHEREAS, harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation and early marriages are still being practiced in some parts of the region- due to which, young people lack the knowledge and power to make informed decisions regarding their own sexual and reproductive health.

 

WHEREAS, policies that are discriminating to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation have led to sexual harassments, violence including hate crimes, and bullying which are violation of human rights of individuals;

 

WHEREAS, the youth should actively participate in specifying budget items for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health to ensure efficient and effective utilization of limited funds and resources to achieve progressive development of maternal, child and adolescent health;

 

WHEREAS, there are limited venues for youth to contribute solutions and to create meaningful youth-adult partnership in all aspects of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating programs and policies that directly affect our lives;

 

NOW THEREFORE, We, the youth representing different sectors of young population in Asia and Pacific, call on the government to take accountability in promoting, protecting and upholding the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people. And we call on the civil society, development partners, and our fellow young people to work collectively in addressing SRHR issues of the young people.

 

We urge the government to provide reliable data and address the gaps on young peoples’ situation particularly on Sexual Reproductive Health leading to policy directionsand budget allocation.

 

We urge the government to provide venue for genuine participation of the young people in the policy making, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

 

We strongly urge the government to implement comprehensive sexuality education in the curriculum and in non-formal and alternative means of education.

 

We urge the government to provide comprehensive youth friendly health care services that are cost effective, gender sensitive and rights based.

 

We urge the government to ensure that service providers are adequately trained in providing youth- friendly services.

 

We urge the government to abolish policies which are discriminating to gender expression, gender identity and sexual orientation.

 

We the delegates of the Youth Day in 6^th Asia Pacific Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights commit to:

 

We commit to complement the efforts of the government, civil society and development partners in promoting comprehensive sexuality education and youth-friendly services through our peer education programs targeted to our fellow young especially the key populations

 

We commit to strengthen programs provided by our organizations especially in the provision of ASRH information and services through our teen centres, youth hubs, one- stop shops and other existing institutional facilities and in the absence thereof, through outreach programs.

 

We commit to continuously lobby and advocate for policies addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of the youth by building their capacities in policy advocacy; and respect, protect and uphold the sexual and reproductive health rights of young people.

 

We commit to actively engage ourselves in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of youth programs in all levels (local, national, regional and global); to promote the spirit of volunteerism and vigilance; and to consistently advocate for meaningful youth-adult partnership.

 

Signed in the 19^th day of October 2011 at Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

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[1] Investing in maternal, Newborn and Child Health

Youth Forum of 6th APCRSH

Speech delivered by Syefa Ahmed, Chairperson of SARYN at the opening ceremony of APCRSH Youth Forum

Dear fellows, ladies and gentlemen, good morning to you all

I am greatly honored and pleased to welcome you all to the 6^th Pacific Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Youth forum. I am Syefa Ahmed, IPPF Governing Council Youth Member and Chairperson of the South Asia Regional Youth Network of IPPF, SAR. As we all know the 6th APCRSHR is hoping that sexual and reproductive health and rights in Asia Pacific will be more respected.  The current challenges in Asia Pacific region, such as the sensitive issues of sexual and reproductive health, need to be addressed. It is therefore critical to claim sexual and reproductive rights within Asian and Pacific societies.

 

This Year the theme for the Youth forum is “Youth Access to Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights”.

 

Therefore we are looking at pushing the commitments and accountability of our governments on:

CSE

YFS

Youth diversity

 

1. Comprehensive sexuality education for young people

 

Firstly  CSE is more than a curriculum.

CSE is about contributing to overcoming all the challenges every young person face with regard to theirSRHR. It is meant to:

- Increase ability of young people to participate in society and to promote human rights and civic participation

- Increase sense of self-esteem and responsible decision making skills

- Increase sense of sexual enjoyment and wellbeing

- Reduce rates of unintended pregnancy

- Reduce rates of STIs and HIV

- Reduce rates of sexual coercion

- Reduce rates of gender-based violence

 

As you all in one we work towards
All adolescents and young people are aware of their sexual and reproductive rights, are empowered to make informed choices and decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health, and are able to act on them.

 

2. Youth friendly service for young people, including access to wide range of contraceptive method

 

Adolescents are the forgotten millions in reproductive health programs. Although the numbers of young people who need information and services are enormous, services are scarce, fragmented or nonexistent. Let’s not forget that the Asia Pacific has the highest number of young people in the whole world!

Providing youth-friendly services does not necessarily mean building a new clinic. It can mean adding adolescent-only hours or offering services in places where adolescents congregate, such as youth centers, sporting events or work sites, in a non judgmental way. For community-based workers, it can mean including young people in home visits. And for all health workers, it means establishing or working within a referral network.. One good example of this practice is FPAB’s Initiative to Youth Friendly Services called “TARAR MELA” where everyone starting from peer educator to counselors to trainers is all youth. I would want to quote a statement for a youth counselor perspective which says….

. With someone your own age, you will be serious. You’ll feel at ease. With someone older, you don’t want to discuss some things, problems, what’s in your heart.”  Youth Counselor

Another young person who received services from FAP India said….

These days, I tell my friends don’t take risks, Use condoms. Come to me. I’ll provide free also until they are confident themselves (they say ‘if I go and buy condoms in a shop, they will doubt my character) – I do not mind buying for them. At least they will stay risk-free.

So let’s learn from this success stories which have BROKEN  THE MISCONCEPTIONS , HIDDEN FACTS & BOUNDATIONS  of these young people and let them be able to MAKE this WORLD BETTER & MAKE OTHERS AWARE AS ME.

 

3. Youth diversity

 

It is very important for all of us to recognize the evolving capacity of a young person. The Asia Pacific is made of very different societies, situations, realities. Growing up in unstable situations, sometimes being forcibly removed from family, being thrust into the lives of strangers… these aren’t ideal situations for engaging young people. Physical, mental, or emotional abuse, parental alcoholism, poverty, multi-generational homelessness, and myriad other factors drive children and youth onto the streets.

Every young person is unique and diverse – we must respect all young people’s differences and diversities. Young people’s diversities may be enabling or limiting depending on the context in which they live. Youth services, programmes and education should be designed and delivered in an equitable way that is responsive to their diversities.

 

Too often in our societies we keep forgetting that sexuality is knowing who you are, loving yourself, and exploring yourself.    Everybody experiences their sexuality in a unique way. This results in a big diversity of sexual expressions. No young person should be forced to conform to gender or sexual norms.

We must move beyond tolerance towards celebrating young people’s diversities.

Girls Decide : CHOICES on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Time – 10.30am to 12.15pm on 21st (Friday) October
Venue – Room 9

Satellite session ‘Girls Decide : CHOICES on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’ and launch of two award winning movies ( charity and social enterprise video award by IVCA Clarion)
Child marriage: Hosna’s Journey, Bangladesh
Young motherhood: Halimah’s journey, Indonesia

Sponsor:
International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
East and South East Asia and Oceania Regional Office (ESEAOR) and
South Asia Regional Office (SARO)

Session Objectives

• To increase understanding on the barriers and obstacles in providing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services to girls and young women.

• To engage a wide range of stakeholders in a dialogue on promoting the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of girls and young women

SPEAKERS:
Denty Piawai Nastitie, IPPF ESEAOR Youth volunteer
Syefa Ahmed, IPPF SAR Youth Volunteer
Special intervention by: Whoever wants to contribute, share and discuss with us

Topics to be covered

The socio-cultural and religious barriers faced by girls and young women, in the two Regions, in accessing accurate SRHR information and services
Involvement of girls and young women as active advocates in promoting their own SRHR
The Girls Decide initiative, led by IPPF and its Member Associations

For more Info – Francesca – fbarolo@ippfsar.org
Milinda – saryn@ippfsar.org