Late Friday at the 45th Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD), member states issued a bold resolution in support of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and human rights.
It was a youth takeover at the United Nations last week, for the 45th annual Commission on Population and Development, a global meeting to examine whether and how we are protecting the sexual rights and health of our youngest generation.
Friday, April 27th, 2012 marked the fifth and final day of this year’s United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the time when the member states of the UN come together to discuss sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally.
I am pro-family, in all its forms, but just like health care, just like vaccines, just like schooling, our parents’ cannot provide full coverage and protection, so we seek access and support elsewhere too. Why is sexuality education so different?
The opposition wants all young people who deviate from the social “norm” (also referred to as ‘sexual anarchists’) to be prisoners of their own natural identity without the ability to express themselves and their individuality in a safe environment.
What the opposition’s arguments lack is one or a combination of the following: an evidence-base, a rational argument, an understanding of biomedical theories including pathology and pharmacology, an appreciation of normal emotional reactions and the social determinants of the individual identity, amongst others.
As the negotiations at the 45th Commission on Population and Development (CPD) continue at the United Nations in New York City, the work towards establishing a strong outcome document that ensures young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) becomes even more intense.
At this extremely important time for the globe, we need to ensure that the outcome documents of this year’s, and forthcoming meetings of the Commission on Population and Development are strong and will guarantee an increased focus on young people and their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Adolescents worldwide lack access to the sexuality education and the comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services that play a critical role in their well-being and empowerment. The implementation of the full range of reproductive rights — as fundamental human rights — must be a priority for all countries.
Yesterday, the United Nations Commission on Population and Development convened for the 42nd time at UN headquarters here in New York. The Head of the US delegation, Margaret J. Pollack, announced the US’s continuing support of the ICPD’s goals, “most particularly universal access to sexual and reproductive health, and the protection and promotion of reproductive rights.”
