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cyf www.chogm2013youthforum.org | www.srilankayouth.lk
Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013
11/11/2013
How can SEX be a Right?
D-Day is Today !
Keep Calm and Vote Wise
Disna Mudalige
2 Who’s your pick? T
he Commonwealth Youth Council to be installed for the first time at the end of 9th Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF9) will be a clear example on commonwealth coming together with a single youth voice’, said Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Affairs Director Katherine Ellis. She said, “I thank the people and government of Sri Lanka for welcoming us so warmly. We have had a wonderful time so far. The talents of the young people in Sri Lanka were displayed in very special ways. CYF is
The election of members for four main positions of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) is to be held today. The position of Chairperson will be offered to a representative from African and European region this time and four candidates are running for this position. Three Vice Chairpersons are to be elected for the categories Policy and Advocacy, Partnership and Resources, and Inclusion and Engagement. There are 6, 2 and 8 candidates respectively for the above mentioned three categories. Moreover, four representatives for each region namely Asia, Pacific, Caribbean, and African and Europe, and another representative for Special Interest Groups will also be elected during the election. Commonwealth Youth Taskforce Co-Chair Kusala Ku-
a platform to share values, ideas and cultural experiences as it brings young people in different parts of the world together. At the same time, we are seriously looking at what should be done for the wellbeing of young people and how young people can contribute to the world we now live in and the world we are going to live as we go forward. We have been discussing on democracy, rule of law, good governance, human rights, equity, gender equity and those aspects of commonality brings us together”.
mara Fernando said, “This forum will be a significant one for Sri Lanka as well as for commonwealth because, this is the first time Sri Lanka and Asian region hosting such a big commonwealth youth event and also the first general assembly of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) will take place during the CYF9”. Disna Mudalige
Hot Seat Local delegate: PanchalieWitharana Age 25: works at the Attorney General Department of Sri Lanka as a Lawyer on Child Protection. She is a Directress of the structure and management committee of Sri Lanka’s Girl Guides Association. Currently she is reading for her LL.M in Criminal Justice and Administration. She also holds a postgraduate in International Relations.
Tell me about your road to CYF?
Well… After seeing an advertisement on the newspaper, I decided to apply for CYF. As a female lawyer and a girl guide attached to many social and youth undertakings my attentiveness grew to represent Sri Lanka, share experiences and learn as to how other Commonwealth countries function. I am especially interested in the dominion of gender equality.
What did you expect to contribute as a youth delegate to CYF?
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(Sounding modest) ‘I introduce myself as a youth worker first rather than just calling myself a lawyer. Gender issues, ranging from equality to domestic violence, do have a knock-on piecing together with law. If you travel to a rural area, you will probably see that the perception that ‘men are stronger than women’ rings like an undismissible alarm in families in the name of culture and tradition. This could be a communal issue seen in most of the Asian countries. ‘Men are given priority and preference over women. It’s a patriarchic system’. There has to be a shift in the mentality of the society’.
Suggest a few steps through the exposure and experience you’ve gained at the Girl Guides Association which is helpful to women who are victims of domestic violence?
Yes sure... For an example the ‘self-defense program’ where we teach women how theycould defend herself in the event of violence. Moreover through public discussion forums comprising of individuals in the capacity of professionals in the scheme of gender equality, and NGO’s such as Citizens for a Secure Sri Lanka etc. where pragmatic solutions and precautionary steps are shared can be used by the victims prone to domestic violence. A hot-line operating at the Girl Guide Association is in the verge of being set up. On the other hand regarding women who are not ‘yet’ victims and against secondary victimization.
There will be a discussion at CYF about gender equality. What are you planning to bring to this discussion ?
Well…That will surely be the most awaited opportunity and I would simply ask the panel to enlighten us about the sort of mechanisms they’ve undertaken in their respective countries to minimize gender inequality. Because in most of the Asian schools, the syllabus is terrified by the culture and traditions so much that, gender equality will never be a separate topic or a subject at schools..
Panchalie, when you think about CYF so far what have you gained?
I loved the session on professionalizing youth work. It was prolific! I also admire the opportunity I gained to hang out with the dynamic foreign delegates.
Naushalya Rajapaksha
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work. She is a sexual and Sarah is a graduate in Social tivistand she’s excited to reproductive health and rightsac and Development next der Gen start her masters soon in SRHR issues. year. She is a peer educator on
Sarah Do you believe in sexual and reproductive rights? Well, sexual activities are nothing uncommon and it’s a need for all human beings. This is more so when it comes to young people. Whether we like it or not, young people in Sri Lanka and around the world are sexually active and so far an abstinence approach has not worked. To protect young people from unwanted pregnancies, STIs violence, depression etc..It’sactually better to teach them how to do it safe!
What are some of the challenges that young people face in terms of SRHR? I’m a peer educator on SRHR and the stigma around young people when it comes to accessing SRHR is biggest challenge. They don’t get comprehensive sex education so they get sex education from unreliable sources. That’s the main challenge that we face.
Does comprehensive Sex-Ed mean teaching kids to have sex? This is a common question that comes up. Whether we like it or not, young people need sex education. We can’t not teach sex education, assuming that young people will have more sex. In countries where there is very good standards of sex-ed there is no drastic increase of people having sex. All we want is age appropriate culturally sensitive sex education.
Abortion is illegal in Sri Lanka and homosexual conduct is criminalized. What do you feel about this?
Even though abortion is restricted in Sri Lanka, almost 800 unsafe abortion take place every day in very unsafe settings; so if we can relax the law, at least these people can access safe abortions. Also most people assume that it’s only young people that access abortion services but it’s actually married women that access these services mostly. Furthermore, WHO has accepted that homosexuality is a normal condition and too we should accept every person regardless of their sexual orientation. People in most at risk groups are vulnerable to contracting HIVs and to undergo violence so they face many problems because they can’t access information and services. I strongly feel steps need to be taken to decriminalize homosexuality.
Are there any positive changes happening?
The government now is pretty open to getting young people’s ideas and suggestions when it comes to policy making. More and more young people are willing to get educated. Peer education is also taking place in all areas in the country so we should keep on pushing and involving young people more and more in decision making.
Tails
How can SEX be a RIGHT?
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Farah Iqbal is a youth delegate from Bangladesh. She is about to graduate from BRAC University with a degree in Economics. She works with women and children leading empowerment, leadership development andshe intends to get a master’s in Development studies.
Do you believe in sexual and reproductive rights?
Yes. I do. But while I think it is important I think there is an extremely important age at which people should be exposed to this information. I do not think that children should be made aware on SRHR. It’s a person’s right to engage in sexual activities and reproduce according to their preferences but certain precautions need to takeninto consideration if the individuals in question are minors. While it is your right it shouldnot be misused.
What do you mean when you say it could be misused?
For example if you have multiple sexual partners you could contract STDs. In our societies sex is a taboo subject so we need to be very careful when discussing these matters.
What do you feel about access to safe abortions and rights of sexual minorities?
I do not object to abortion when there is a sound biological reason defending why this is inherently important for a woman to have an abortion but I do object to an abortion at a time when a life has already been formed. I strictly believe in the ‘don’t ask don’t tell policy’ in the south Asian context where there is a lot of taboo around this issue.
But then are you also saying that don’t ask don’t tell should be practised in heterosexual relations as well?
Of course. There are many countries where there is a specific age of consent and it shouldn’t be done in public. Do you see any positive changes happening in society in terms of SRHR. No. (*gives some thought) actually yes! Media has taken effective measures to advocate for these rights. They also utilize platforms such as movies, social media `etc..depicting these issues bringing about awareness.
Senel Wanniarachchi
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jOIN THE CONVERSATION
#CYF20
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s It is a great hono ur for me to ta ke part at the CY tota. Since I repr esent the world F here in Hamba ’s largest youth this gathering is movement, I be nand will be very lieve important and he movement. Thro ug lp together to build h this youth gathering I am su ful for me and the re that we can a better world. work
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hospitality. about Sri Lanka is the ng sti ere int d fin I st interesting The main thing iling. What I found mo sm le op pe see I k, loo th the people. I have Wherever I ent of Sri Lanka is wi sid t Pre e th dly en fri und the President, bu was how es the security is all aro that the organizing tri un co r he ot in n see seen t the case. Also I have am grateful for all the in Sri Lanka it was no I lp. he to g llin wi d dly an ys! committee is very frien hard work and keep up the good work gu
Clare Barrel, Chair, mmonwealth Youth Sp and Peace, WorkingCo ort Development Group ( CYSW Such a wonderful we lcome to Sri Lanka,s ett space for young peop le from across the comm ing up the appropriate mote and engage in onwealth to debate, prodia the chance to demons logue really impacting youth. I can’t wait trate the role of spor for t in advancing the de ment of young peop velople in the commonwe alth at the capacity bu session. ilding
Amila Wen
siri Rajapak I think the sha- Sri Lan Commonw ka ealt prove youth participatio h Youth Forum is a gre was able to n. I attende at platform days. I’m als give my input. I’m rea d several discussions to to imll o really loo king forwa y excited for the next day and rd for the si couple of d taking place e events that will be today and tomorrow.
Harry James Olikwaila
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Before coming to Sri Lanka I’ve heard alo t about the culture an pecially about the fas d eshion and now, havin g come here, I realise beautiful this country d how is. Regarding the co nference, I am very about the planning happy and organizing. Also the first day was am with the display of cu azing lture. So hats off to th e organizing committ the good work. ee on
Pulasthi Harasgama
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Edited By Senel Wanniarachchi Photographed by Rasika Sanjeewa Official Photographer at Sri Lanka Youth-National Youth Services Council