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Impact of Laws on Youth’s Access to Sexual Health Services – Study Release

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Impact of Laws on Youth’s Access to Sexual Health Services – Study Release

Published on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 18:00
Bangkok, 18 November 2013 – Restrictive laws and policies in Asia-Pacific are blocking young people from accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV services, according to a new report to be released at the 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP’11).

The report, “Young people and the Law in Asia and the Pacific: A review of laws and policies affecting young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health and HIV services”, will be released by UNESCO, UNFPA, UNAIDS, UNDP and Youth Lead.

Over 400 key legal and policy documents from all Asia-Pacific countries were analyzed for the report, making it the first systemic review on this topic in the region.

Focus group discussions with young people were also undertaken to elicit their views and experiences in accessing SRH and HIV services, including on issues such as age of consent, age and marriage requirements for services, and attitudes of service providers.

John Godwin, the report’s author, said: “Our research found that restrictive laws can be a significant barrier to access to sexual and reproductive health services for young people – in terms of enjoyment of their health rights, the law has got a lot to do with it.”

“We found that very few countries have taken legal steps to clarify the health rights of young people, and this creates particular problems in the sensitive areas of HIV, sexual health and reproductive health.”

The report offers recommendations on steps that can be taken to address challenges keeping young people from accessing essential health and information services. These cover legal reforms, changes in law enforcement and greater inclusion of young people’s voices in drafting policy related to SRH and HIV services.

Justine Sass, Chief of UNESCO Bangkok’s HIV Prevention and Health Promotion unit, who provided overall coordination for the report, said: “There are over 1 billion young people aged 10-24 in the Asia-Pacific region. Ensuring their health and well-being requires attention at multiple levels, focusing on individuals, their relationships, and society at large. This includes protecting them from harm through supportive laws, policies, law enforcement practices and access to justice.”

Findings from the review will be the subject of two sessions at ICAAP’11, being held this year in Bangkok at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The overall findings of the study will be presented on 20 November in “What’s the law got to do with it? Impact of policies and laws on youth access to HIV & SRH services”, an oral presentation by Ms Sass, Chief of UNESCO Bangkok’s HIV Prevention and Health Promotion unit.

On the following day, the legal aspects of the study will be the subject of another presentation by Ms Sass, “Reviewing policies, laws & access to HIV services for adolescents in Asia and the Pacific: Strategic information for improving service provision.”

Session: “What’s the law got to do with it? Impact of policies and laws on youth access to HIV & SRH services”.
Time: 20 November 2013,  15:45-17:15
Venue: Hall 1, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok

Session: Risk and Response: Examining the Evidence on Adolescents and Young Key Populations in Asia Pacific.
Time:  21 November, 12:15-13:45
Venue: Hall A, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre

Download the report

To watch a video that illustrates the issues and findings in the report, click on: www.unescobkk.org/resources/multimedia/video/young-people-and-the-law/  

For further information and press inquiries, please contact: Mr Noel Boivin, Media and Communication Officer, UNESCO Bangkok (email: n.boivin@unesco.org)  

MEDIA ADVISORY
For immediate release  

Source: UNESCO Bangkok

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