|
Support Sex Education in Latin America and the Caribbean
Dear Colleagues, Please join the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR), International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) in urging President Obama to endorse the Mexico City Declaration on Sex Education in Latin America and the Caribbean in the attached sign-on letter. President Obama will be attending the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, taking place April 16-18, 2009, offering the opportunity to support this initiative in the Latin American and Caribbean region, as well as align the United States with this approach to HIV-prevention. In August 2008, just prior to the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, the Mexican government, in coordination with many partners, convened a high level meeting of ministers of health and education from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean region. These officials assembled to address the need to scale-up comprehensive sexuality education as a foundation for curbing sexually transmitted infections, with a specific emphasis on HIV/AIDS. Nearly every country in the region was in attendance and ultimately committed themselves to a fundamental system change in the delivery of sexuality education in their countries. These commitments resulted in the Mexico City Declaration on Sex Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, a document unparalleled in its commitment by governments to specifically address the critically important role that comprehensive sexuality education can play in achieving better health outcomes in the region. Click here to send your letter to President Obama
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , Dear President Obama, We wish you well as you prepare for the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, being held April 16-18, 2009. As sexual and reproductive health and rights advocates and program implementers who work on a range of issues including prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) we hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to support an historic agreement that has emerged in the Latin American and the Caribbean region. In August 2008, just prior to the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, the Mexican government in coordination many partners including the Pan-American Health Organization and the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), convened a high level meeting of ministers of health and education from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean region. Representing 31 Latin American and Caribbean countries, these delegates came together with the common purpose of strengthening the response to the HIV epidemic in the region. Out of this meeting came the Mexico City Declaration on Sex Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, which outlines the ambitious goals to implement, and where already in place, reinforce the multi-sectoral strategies of comprehensive sexuality education and sexual health promotion as fundamental means of preventing the spread of HIV and other STIs. The text of the Declaration is available here: http://www.ippfwhr.org/files/Mexico_City_Declaration.pdf Some of the Declaration's highlights include that comprehensive sexuality education: - Will have a broad perspective that is based on human rights and respects the values of a democratic, pluralistic society where families and communities thrive. - Promote respect for differences, reject any form of discrimination, and promote among youth responsible and informed decision-making regarding their sexual debut. - Will be complemented by health services to provide effective access to: counseling and testing for HIV/STI; comprehensive clinical care for sexually transmitted infections; condoms and education in their correct and consistent use; counseling about reproductive decisions, including for people with HIV; and counseling and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, for all, especially for adolescents and young people. These measures will achieve better health outcomes and system change, and also advance the education of people about their own sexual and reproductive rights. Given the evidence that speaks to the efficacy of sexuality education as an HIV- prevention strategy, it must be supported as the foundation of HIV prevention efforts. It is our hope that you will voice your support for this Declaration and the evidence-based and human rights-based approaches it embodies. Lending your vocal support to this Declaration at the Summit of the Americas will make a significant impact. To do so will demonstrate that the United States is heading in a different direction than the previous Administration with regards to support for sound HIV-prevention efforts and will display the integrity inherent in your leadership. We welcome your endorsement to this Declaration.
Sincerely, |
Campaign Launched: |
| Background Information |
