This is NOT the Future We Want

Originally Posted By: Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights

There are few youth sexual and reproductive health and rights activists present in Rio de Janeiro for the Rio+20 Summit. We may not have strength in numbers, but we are making noise. We are making noise in support of our rights, our health and our futures.

We are at a critical time, when governments are making significant decisions about our sexual and reproductive health and rights, specifically our ability to access information, modern contraception and services, the human rights of young women and girls, and the recognition of adolescents’ SRHR. These decisions will have a serious impact on today’s generation of young people, as well as future generations of young people around the world.

The decisions made in Rio over the coming days will have a significant impact on our ability to live in a gender equitable future, access decent employment and the information and services we need to live healthy lives. When our sexual and reproductive rights are guaranteed, we are better positioned to freely decide over issues related to our sexuality.

We cannot stand by idly. Now is the time for action. We must work together to ensure that this outcome document reflects a future that we all want, one that respects our rights, and guarantees gender equality, sexual and reproductive health services and information.

As youth advocates, who want to see our rights respected and guaranteed, therefore, we are calling on you to contact your governments. It isn’t too late. We urge you to ask them to commit to the full implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action & the Beijing Platform for Action; urge them to make a stance in support of gender equality, and women’s human rights; urge them to reaffirm their commitments to young people’s sexuality, and our sexual and reproductive health.

Watch a vlog produced by YCSRR member Ivens Reyner, calling all young people, in Rio and around the world, to hold their governments accountable. The vlog can be accessed here.

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This is NOT the future we want from Youth Coalition on Vimeo.