.png?sfvrsn=6d0e27cd_1 "Partnership for Change - v7 (1)")
The 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), coming up at the end of this month, will assess the status of 30 years of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) implementation since the landmark conference in Cairo. The conference moved population policy and programmes away from a focus on human numbers and demographic targets to a focus on human lives. It put the emphasis where it should be - on improving the lives of individuals including women, children, and adolescents - and increasing respect for their basic human rights. Furthermore, delegates from all regions and cultures agreed that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) must be accessible to all.
Much advancement has been made throughout the years, but today progress is unfortunately threatened by a backsliding on the rights and choices of women and girls, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increasingly well-organized and well-funded pushback to SRHR in both high-income and low-and-middle income countries. This gives rise to a heightened appreciation for those PMNCH partners who are progressively addressing ongoing and emerging challenges to the ICPD Programme of Action, at both the global and local levels. Two such partners, Planned Parenthood Global and Love Matters work tirelessly to fill gaps in comprehensive sexuality education, eliminate stigma, and advocate for increased access and services. Both partners have been particularly effective in reaching young people in innovative and impactful ways.
Planned Parenthood Global, the international division of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), a member of the IPPF network, makes significant contributions in supporting young people's SRHR through their innovative Billi Now Now programme. This youth movement is a vital component of the 1.8 campaign, coordinated by PMNCH, and is focused on harnessing the potential of the largest generation of young people in history. With 1.2 billion individuals aged 15 to 24, BNN and the “Billis”, as the youth are affectionately called, aim to transform their potential into a tangible force for change. They provide a platform for engaging with young people directly to hear their needs and ensure youth access to SRHR while promoting their social and economic empowerment. This is especially important as young people urgently require supportive policies and programs to navigate the challenges of today's world, as evidenced by the Agenda for Action for Adolescents, which not only benefits the individuals involved but contributes significantly to global health and development goals. Special thanks to Daisy Tuzo, Director of Global Youth Engagement, for her participation in the Digital Experience Action Group for the Global Forum for Adolescents and ongoing advocacy in the 1.8 campaign.
Love Matters, a local partner of PMNCH, is India’s leading digital SRHR initiative catering specifically to the needs of young people. It provides open, honest, non-judgmental, and science-based information on love, sex, and relationships using innovative and engaging media formats and content. By harnessing the power of technology, popular culture, and storytelling, Love Matters seeks to bridge the gap between young people, SRHR organizations and experts, and service providers. Their citizen journalism programme, Mobikaar, for example, has enabled young people to use the power of their mobile phones to communicate on matters important to them and has taught them skills to thrive without fear or discrimination. Another initiative, TeenBook, is a bilingual sexual education resource hub for teenagers, parents and educators with information on important life skills such as making responsible and healthy choices, managing emotions, navigating relationships, and understanding consent. Using this curricula, TeenBook conducts offline workshops in and out of school settings, reaching thousands of adolescents in rural India every year. Special thanks to the members of the TeenBook advisory board and outreach programme for representing the voices of Indian adolescents at the recent Global Forum for Adolescents.