Our Rights, Our Bodies! claim world YWCA young women at AIDS 2010
Young Women's Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Access to health care services, safe spaces to share and discuss, confidentiality, right to make choices, these were just some of the issues young women attending the International AIDS conference shared when asked the question “what SRHR issue is important to you at this point in your life?” The responses were given by participants of the Young Women’s Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights organised by the World YWCA on July 19, 2010.
It was the first of two young women’s forums to be hosted by the YWCA with the objective of creating a safe space for women to explore and discuss issues of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV and AIDS, especially those issues that they wish to explore further at the International Aids Conference.
The forum brought together around 60 women, most of whom were young women under the age of 30, but also some women who are no longer considered young by social definitions. The forum was facilitated by Sophie Dilmitis, SRHR and HIV Coordinator for the World YWCA and Kristy Kelly, World YWCA young woman and Board member. Many issues which arose from the responses to the question and the six common themes were highlighted. Among these were: choice, lesbian women, comprehensive sexuality education, women with disabilities, safe spaces and migrants.
Discussion work groups were then formed to further develop around the themes. Each group focused on one of the key issues and created key messages which were used at the week-long Conference and served as an advocacy tool for raising the voice and the needs of young women. Whenever young women are present at a session, a workshop or interviewed by the media, their messages are clear and they have the confidence to speak for themselves and on behalf of those not present.
The discussions were heated and informative, and reflected the diversity of the different cultures present and of the women in the group. Women want information to make informed choices and they want their choices honoured and respected. Lesbian women want to be included and they want to be on all the agendas. There is a call for unbiased, comprehensive sexual education. Women with disabilities face the same challenges as women without disabilities and they want this to be recognised. Safe spaces must be created by young women for young women. There is also a call for SRHR policies and laws to be pushed from from paper and put into action. Migrant women want information to be made available to them and for the double stigma associated with HIV and migrants to be eradicated.
At the end of the exercise it was clear what messages the young women wanted to bring into the spotlight at this very important Conference, and also how passionate they were about letting policy makers and leaders know how they feel.
Facilitators concluded the session by emphasising to the young women present that it is not only important to develop these messages but also to ensure that they are shared at the sessions so that visibility is brought to these issues. The follow up to this forum will take place on Thursday, 22 July, to further explore these themes and how effective the key messages have been.
Related Link:
- Visit the World YWCA Blog Women Leading Change
