What is a rights-based approach? Generally, it is a conceptual framework for the process of human development based on international human rights standards and operationally directed to promote and protect human rights. A right based organization integrates the norms, standards and principles of the international human rights system in to plans, policies and processes. It upholds principles of equity/equality, accountability, empowerment, participation nondiscrimination and attention to vulnerable groups. As we all know, IPPF is a ‘rights based organization’ and it additionally endorses ‘sexual and reproductive health rights’ agreed at the ICPD. (See details of ICPD at the new look IPPF website: http://www.ippf.org/en/About/IPPF+ICPD.htm)
Research Summary: As part of a comprehensive survey on adolescence and sexual and reproductive health implemented by the FPA Sri Lanka in October 2006, 304 service providers, including Doctors, Midwives, Counsellors and Public Health Inspectors, both male and female between the age group of 23 - 71 were interviewed to get their perspective on cultural beliefs, perception and attitude with regard to providing SRHR services to adolescents. The following statistics were provided by health service providers concerning their belief around abortion. The majority of Doctors (86%), Midwives (91%), Counselors (92%), and Public Health Investigators (72%) believe abortion should not be legalized. Twenty seven percent of providers felt that an abortion provided for unmarried females reduces the use of contraceptives by adolescents. Lastly, 22% Doctors, 18% Midwives, 18% Counselors, 16% Public Health Investigators believe ‘back street abortions’ are not safe. For the full report contact: adolescents@ippfsar.org
Resources: Adolescents Education News letter is published twice a year by UNESCO. Volume 9, No.1 available:http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/arsh/AEN/AEN_June06.pdf provides various reflections on how cultural and religious attitudes affect the sexual behavior of young people and on the role they play in HIV incidence in the Asia-Pacific region. News: A study published in the January 2nd 2007 edition of AIDS has found that there is no association between the use of hormonal contraception and the risk of HIV acquisition. The study authors believe that this finding will “provide reassurance for women in a setting of moderate and high HIV prevalence who need effective contraception. We can send you the full text of the study on request. Please visit their website for further details of the study: http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/D9D485C9-6F67-45FC-9382-E0FE818981B8.asp
Events: On Thursday, March 1, 2007, the Health Communication Partnership and the INFO project in conjunction with the World Health Organization will host a videoconferencing session focused on ‘client provider interaction’ (CPI) as it responds to clients’ SRHR needs in HIV/AIDS service settings. This session will take place from 9:00 to 11:30 am EST and will be both simultaneously web cast and archived on the Internet. Following the videoconference will be two week-long online forum CPI in FP/HIV integration utilizing the Implementing Best Practices (IBP) Knowledge Gateway. For further details visit: http://my.ibpinitiative.org/public/fphivintegration/). The forum will run from March 5 to March 16 and will be moderated by content experts from multiple organizations. For details and to participate in the conference visit: http://www.jhuccp.org/cpconference
(Please send your feedback/information etc. to access@ippfsar.org )
IPPF SARO Team