Toolkit for advocacy
Advocates for Action, a youth led advocacy group coordinated by Students Partnership Worldwide has developed an advocacy toolkit to equip young people with the skills to become powerfull advocates for Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (YSRH&R).
"There is no room for negligence and no time for bureaucracy when it comes to advocating for young people’s SRH&R." says Richard Wanzala, SPW Advocate for Action.
About the toolkit:
- Do you think it's shocking that 7,000 young people around the world (aged 15 – 24) are infected with HIV every day2?
- Do you think that young people have the right to decide what happens to their own bodies?
- Do you think it’s crazy that despite 60% of all new HIV infections occurring amongst young people their sexual health is still not a priority for
the UK government's Department for International Development (DFID)3?
If you answered ‘YES’ to any of these questions then it’s time you joined us in taking a stand. Whether you are a student, a professional, an artist or an astronaut we want YOU to join us in influencing international policies, raising awareness of the specific needs of young people and advocating for our rights!
This toolkit has been created for young people in the UK to advocate for the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRH&R) of young people around
the world. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge to get the UK government to take this problem seriously, and push them to take action.
Inside you’ll find more information about SRH&R and a step-by-step guide to building an effective advocacy campaign — from figuring out who to
target to exploring ways to get people to listen.
We hope you enjoy this toolkit and will be inspired to join us in advocating for the rights of young people in this important issue.
Sexual and reproductive health care refers to the different methods and services that play a part in our reproductive and sexual well being5 i.e. a course of
antibiotics to treat Chlamydia or knowing where to obtain contraceptives such as condoms.
What about rights?
Sexual and reproductive health is not only about disease, it also encompasses a collection of related health and human rights issues.
We have rights over what we do with our bodies:
- we have the right to plan when we want to
- have children.
- we have the right to decide if we use a condom
- we have the right to say no to sex.
- we have the right to enjoy sex.
