United Nations preparing for 2014 global conference.
Being able to make our own decisions about our bodies and our lives is a basic human right. But for millions worldwide, it’s a right violated daily.
Nearly 20 years ago at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), governments agreed that sexual and reproductive rights are human rights. But what has happened since then? Many of the 1.8 billion young people worldwide still struggle to access the information, sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services they need.
World leaders need to hear our voices now. Amnesty International will deliver petition signatures directly at events throughout 2013.
Too many young women and girls face violence, coercion and discrimination. They are unable to access contraception without consent from their husband or family, forced into marriage, or denied access to safe and legal abortion. Boys and girls are taught to think and behave in ways that perpetuate these violations of their human rights. Some governments and groups are even questioning the principle of gender equality.
In the lead up to the 2014 ICPD+20 Conference, world leaders will meet to discuss progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the future they hope to create. They need to hear our voices now. Amnesty International will deliver petition signatures directly at events throughout 2013.
To: United Nations Permanent Representatives, World Leaders and International Organizations
We ask for your sustained action and accountability to prioritize the health and human rights of young people, particularly young women and adolescent girls, in the ICPD+20 and post-2015 development agenda and beyond.
We urge you to support:
- Universal access to quality, comprehensive, integrated sexual and reproductive health services, counseling, and information, with respect for human rights, and with an emphasis on equality, equity and respect for diversity.
- Comprehensive sexuality education and other programs that empower young people to know their bodies and to exercise their human rights.
- Young women’s leadership at all levels and in all types of decision?making processes that affect their lives.
- Respect, promotion and protection for sexual and reproductive rights
We are the present and the future of our communities, nations and the world. We are counting on you to do the right thing.
About Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights.
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