.png?sfvrsn=6d0e27cd_1 "Partnership for Change - v7 (1)")
As countries grapple with the challenge of ensuring the inclusion of SRHR in UHC packages, making provisions for adolescents has emerged as a particular concern. Adolescents are a key population group. The decisions they make and the opportunities they
have during this critical phase of development inform the trajectory of the rest of their lives and their potential to contribute meaningfully to society. In making decisions in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, policymakers
should therefore invest in sustainable financing and equitable programmes, policies and services to improve wellbeing of adolescents. Certain regions require particular attention where the need is greater and inequality across populations and communities
higher. Among these, the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region stands out. LAC has remained the region with the second highest adolescent birth rates, after sub-Saharan Africa and is the region with the lowest annual rate of reduction in the probability
of dying among adolescents aged 15–19 (for the period 2009-2019).
Over the last few years progress has been realized in the visibility of the adolescent wellbeing agenda in the LAC region. However, persisting legal, policy, health systems and societal factors continue to threaten the health of adolescents. Data from
WHO indicates that even before the devastating impacts of the COVID pandemic, the LAC region was characterized by widespread inequalities in income, wealth, education, health outcomes and access to healthcare services. For instance, less than 20 percent
of youth aged 18–24 years from the poorest households were enrolled in tertiary education, compared to over 60 percent of youth from the richest households. Adolescent birth rates were over seven times as high among the poorest households compared
to the richest. Adolescent pregnancy serves as an important indicator for broader challenges relating to adolescent wellbeing.
In response, PMNCH in October 2023, PMNCH will convene the world’s largest-ever gathering to drive action for today’s 1.8 billion adolescents and youth whose health and well-being are in jeopardy due to a lack of policies and investments tailored to their needs. In this context, and as part of the effort to listen to what young people want, PMNCH proposes a panel discussion during the ICFP, to bring a spotlight on adolescent sexual, reproductive health and rights in the LAC region. The discussion takes place in the context of the mutually reinforcing crises arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change with its associated emergencies and ongoing conflicts whose negative implications for women, children and adolescents’ health are now well recognized. The discussion also takes into consideration the overriding reversal of many of the gender equality and SRHR-related health gains in the region in the context of the wave of restrictive conservative polices.
Objectives
The aim of the session is to strengthening partnerships and joint advocacy strategies and efforts among PMNCH partners and other actors to respond to the urgent need to secure commitments and action to ensure adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights, including bodily autonomy, gender equality, identity and right to information about sex and sexuality. In this respect, the specific objectives of the session, which is a sequel to the recent, successful Accountability Breakfast hosted by PMNCH and partners, are to:
- Highlight key policy frameworks and platforms which provide an opportunity for improved adolescent health outcomes in LAC region and to identify prospects for deepening the impact of these
- Establish a platform to drive commitments to improve adolescent wellbeing by governments in the region
- Highlight the role of the global policy environment in promoting accountability for adolescent wellbeing in the region
Session details
Format: A highly interactive panel session. Light breakfast served.
Seating capacity: Approximately 50 people
Time: 07:00 – 08:20 (Pattaya) – 80 mins
Hosted by: PMNCH
Co-sponsors: PMNCH and Partner organization (TBC)
Session Programme
| Segment | Details | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Opening elements | · Welcoming remarks by Moderator –Maria Antonieta Alcalde Castro (2 min) · Opening remarks - Young Champion on SRHR from LAC (3 min) | 5 min |
| Panel discussion | Evidence element: · Presentation of evidence on adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the LAC region - Dr. Rodolfo Gomez, PAHO Regional SRH Advisor (10 min) · Lived experience – interpretation / response to data - Young Person from LAC2 (5 min) · Short Q&A on evidence presented, Guided by Moderator (10 min) | 25 min |
| Accountability segment: · Critical analysis of contribution of key laws, policy frameworks and regional platforms to adolescent wellbeing – UNFPA TBC (8min) · Contribution of global policy environment – WHO (5 min) · Statement of what action is required by governments in the region – Globally recognized Young champion on SRHR (3 min) · A government perspective/response – challenges, opportunities and enablers of accountability for WCAH – TBC (5 min) · Presentation of GFA as an opportunity to drive commitments on AWB – PMNCH High impact audio visual presentation (4 min) | 25 min | |
| Experience sharing | Lessons towards improved accountability Question to audience on successful approaches in driving commitment and accountability for SRHR which can be applied to AWB (including eliciting experiences from other regions) - Guided by Moderator | 10 min |
| Action Planning | “I commit” session · Creative session (for example using Slido), to unlock follow up actions by participants – Guided by Moderator (5 min) | 5 min |
| Closing | Closing solidarity remarks - Global Champion on SRHR Julia Bunting, TBC – (5 min) | 5 min |