Partnerships Promote Progress for Sexual and Reproductive Health

Washington DC, - November 21, 2005

PAI representatives, as members of the Asia Pacific Alliance, have joined hands with over twelve hundred participants at the 3rd Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive & Sexual Health (APCRSH), held Nov. 17-21, 2005 in Malaysia. The conference, which concludes today, brings together reproductive and sexual health workers, professional practitioners, social scientists, donors, policy makers, and government and civil society representatives from the Asia Pacific region and around the world.

This year's conference participants are evaluating the current status of sexual and reproductive health in the Asia Pacific region based on the goals laid out in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action and further evaluated by the Countdown 2015 10-year ICPD review in London. By using the ICPD goals as the cornerstone of its discussion, the 3rd APCRSH reaffirms the Asia Pacific region's commitment to achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health by the year 2015.

While many countries worldwide have been working collaboratively in this effort, the U.S. government's commitment to key aspects of the ICPD Programme of Action has weakened dramatically in recent years. In her opening keynote speech, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Hj. Mohd Ali set the stage by advocating for sex education in schools and highlighting the need for safe abortion services in Asia – two issues the current administration has shown strong opposition to. The collaboration being demonstrated at this conference should remind the Bush administration that sexual and reproductive health is a priority for countries and their citizens worldwide and that the United States must listen to – not drown out – partners' priorities when formulating U.S. international aid policy.

The 3rd APCRSH also demonstrates the invaluable contribution that international partnerships play in emboldening civil society organizations to organize around sexual and reproductive health and to hold their governments accountable to their commitments. By sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, and networking, CSOs not only strengthen their own advocacy work but also exemplify the collaboration needed to turn universal access to sexual and reproductive health from rhetoric into reality.PAI representatives, as members of the Asia Pacific Alliance, have joined hands with over twelve hundred participants at the 3rd Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive & Sexual Health (APCRSH), held Nov. 17-21, 2005 in Malaysia. The conference, which concludes today, brings together reproductive and sexual health workers, professional practitioners, social scientists, donors, policy makers, and government and civil society representatives from the Asia Pacific region and around the world.

 

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.