Young People Demand Access to Safe Abortion and Comprehensive Reproductive Health Services
- 365healthdiaries
- Jan 30
- 2 min read
By Hamu Madzedze
Young people worldwide are calling for the decriminalization of abortion and access to safe and legal abortion services, as well as comprehensive reproductive health services. This demand comes as governments prepare to review progress on the Beijing Declaration at the 69th session of the UN Commission on Status of Women (CSW) in March 2025.
"The year 2025 marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was signed in 1995 – it highlighted the impact of unsafe abortion on women's lives and health, and the need to reduce recourse to abortion through expanded family planning services," said Shobha Shukla, Coordinator of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity and Rights) initiative. "Governments need to walk the talk on the promises for gender equality and human rights with equity and justice."
Lady Nancy Lisondra, Youth and Advocacy Advisor at International Planned Parenthood Federation- IPPF (East and South-East Asia and Oceania Region), emphasized the challenges faced by women and girls in the Asia Pacific region. "Inequality, injustice, and stigma continue to pose threats to our health and wellbeing.
Women and girls face challenges in education and employment, and even accessing decent facilities for menstrual hygiene."said Lisondra
Pooja Mishra, National Coordinator, Youth Lead Voices, and General Secretary, National Coalition of People Living with HIV in India (NCPI Plus), highlighted the situation in India.
"Modern contraceptive prevalence rate of all women aged 15-49 is 56.5%, maternal mortality ratio is 97 deaths per 100,000 population, and 29% of women aged 15-49 years have experienced sexual or physical violence in the general population."said Mishra.
Manoj Pardeshi of NCPI Plus stressed the importance of accessible and stigma-free services.
"Youth knowledge is available, but it's not reaching all the right people. All prevention tools are available, but they're not reaching all of them."highlighted Pardeshi
Maria Iqbal Shah, member of Youth Peer Education Network Asia Pacific, (YPEER-)pointed out the challenges faced by young people in Pakistan.
"There is little acceptance of sexual and reproductive health services due to cultural and religious stigma and taboos." pointed out Shah
Gressa Mae G. Pepito, Vice President and social media focal person of Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) in Masbate, Philippines, emphasized the need for comprehensive sexuality education.
"One of the most pressing issues we face today is the lack of comprehensive sexuality education for Filipino youth."
Comentarios