Imprint Contributors Laura Lalucat Eglė Janušonytė Klaudia Szymuś Mohamed Hichem Smaali Abra Zahid Fatima Rodriguez Yara Hisham Othman Shweta Poduval Christos Papaiouannou Shaimaa Adel Layout Design Klaudia Szymuś Safia Abdulla
The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization representing associations of medical students worldwide. IFMSA was founded in 1951 and currently maintains 136 National Member Organizations from 126 countries across six continents, representing a network of 1.3 million medical students. IFMSA envisions a world in which medical students unite for global health and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to take on health leadership roles locally and globally, so to shape a sustainable and healthy future. IFMSA is recognized as a nongovernmental organization within the United Nations’ system and the World Health Organization; and works in collaboration with the World Medical Association.
Publisher International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) International Secretariat: c/o IMCC, Norre Allé 14, 2200 Kobenhavn N., Denmark Phone: +31 2 05668823 Email: gs@ifmsa.org Homepage: www.ifmsa.org
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This is an IFMSA Publication © 2019 - Only portions of this publication may be reproduced for non political and non profit purposes, provided mentioning the source. Disclaimer This publication contains the collective views of different contributors, the opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of IFMSA. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the IFMSA in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
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MESSAGE FROM SCORA DIRECTOR Dear SCORA members, SCORA community is growing and growing and your amazing efforts into creating a world where every individual is empowered to exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights free from stigma and discrimination, are what brings us together. All those efforts are something worth sharing and we’d like to provide a platform to do so. In addition to that, aiming to establish frequent and efficient communication with you and developing at the same time a channel to hold the International Team accountable and increase transparency, we came up with the initiative of issuing a SCORA bimonthly newsletter where you find the most relevant information in the same place and you can get inspired by what’s going on in SCORA all around the globe. We hope you engage and enjoy the reading! Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to any International Team member for further clarifications and comments. Hugs, Lalu, SCORA Director 2019-2020 On behalf of the International Team and SCORA Programme Coordinators 2019-2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 BIMONTHLY REPORTS 15 CAMPAIGNS 18 GA SUMMARY 20 EMR16 21 SCORA WORKSHOPS 23 SUB-REGIONAL TRAININGS 24 SMALL WORKING GROUPS 25 POLICY DOCUMENTS 26 SCORA OPPORTUNITIES 27 SCORA AND COVID-19 28 COMING SOON IN SCORA 29 GLOBAL GAG RULE: WHY DOES IT MATTER RIGHT NOW?
SCORA DIRECTOR LAURA LALUCAT scorad@ifmsa.org
In charge of activities and capacity building of SCORA and supporting the IT Coordinating SCORA sessions at the General Assemblies The link between SCORA members and the Executive Board Anything you don’t know who to reach out for!
Feb
Meetings
Tasks - Finalised Newsletter work;
- pre-EMR16
- MSI rating of SCORA articles;
- EMR16
- Rated SABC proposals and follow-up;
- IFMSA preMM'20 - Ipas Women's
- Prepared pre-departure Webinar;
Reproductive Health and Rights workshop
- Proposal for APRM;
- Switched On: UNESCO Forum on CSE in
- Discussed rooming for MM20;
the Digital Space
- Updated timeline of MM20; - Launched Activities Fair;
Online meetings:
- Launched participation opportunities calls for MM20;
- Calls with LRA x3
- Discussed sessions with ST members;
- pre-departure Webinar
- Emails and handled logistics matters.
- SCORA Submissions discussion webinar - CSW preparation Webinar - call with VPA - OLM with pre MM20 Ipas trainers - OLM with SCORA CB Regulations regarding APRM proposal - SCORA CB regulations OLM - CoC OLM
Mar
Meetings - MM20
Tasks - COVID-19 and SXC management (consultations to Sup Co); - MM20 sessions preparations and facilitation;
Online meetings:
- MM20 SCORA Plenary preparations;
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- MM follow up plan and prepared evaluation;
- OLM with LRA x2
- prepared IT mid-term evaluation;
- OLMs with DA ME, RA AF, RA AM
- NMO report, clearing up SCORA data;
- OLM with SCORA DA CB for online IPET x3
- creating and finalised SCORA Activation tracking sheet;
- TO members for TO goals
- online IPET preparations;
- OLM with SCDs-
- Input to IDAHOT campaign;
OLM with Sup Co
- Input to SCORA Activation guidelines;
- OLM VPCB and VPCB Assistant
- preMM follow up and report finalised;
for Online Training
- Certificates for SXC; - Editing the Strategy so it can be shared; - discussed cancellation matters with Sup Co; - Cancellation of NECSE email; - Brainstorming on preAM workshops; - COVID-19 SRHR library and other initiatives such as articles from our side.
LIAISON OFFICER FOR SRHR ISSUES INCL. HIV&AIDS EGLĖ JANUŠONYTĖ lra@ifmsa.org
Focal point with all SRHR external relations Representing SCORA on international level meetings with external partners Coordinating Policy Documents development
Feb
Meetings Online meetings:
Tasks - UNFPA contact for access to safe abortion;
- OLM with UNFPA and UNMGCY
- CSW delegation tasks and follow up;
- OLM with ICPD+25 working group to
- Ipas correspondence regarding MM;
establish a new platform
- WHO RHR correspondence;
- Ipas and LWHO OLM on preWHA/WHA
- NMO buddies correspondence;
- CSW webinar with LRP
- Sent out IFMSA letter of interest to be the lead youth organisation for Bodily Autonomy and
- 3 OLMs with SCORA D
SRHR in Generation Equality;
- OLM with Ipas preMM’20 trainers
- Applied for a youth spot on IFMSA behalf on CSW Youth Global Review of the Beijing Platform
- SCORA Pre-Departure Webinar
for Action (BPfA);
- OLM with Global Sexual Pleasure Board
- Prepared IFMSA Pact Lead application;
- LOOM (Liaison Officers OLM)
- Coordination of SCORA theme event for MM;
- Ipas comprehensive abortion care
- Worked with 4 policy commissions and amendments.
Webinar
- Applied for 3 speaking opportunities for CSW plenary sessions;
- OLM with President regarding Fringe
- Fringe social media promotion and coordination;
- Supco and VPE OLM on Ipas
- Wrote abstract and submitted Ipas/IFMSA research study to Scientific Posters Fair; worked on
- SRT Quebec Ipas trainers OLM
the poster design; - Worked on and submitted AMEE SRHR related abstracts; - Worked on Ipas scholarship for PreWHA/WHA; - Finished ICPD+25 blogpost; - Submitted BCPs for external parts in SCORA regulations; - Preps for GA (sessions and other tasks).
Mar
Meetings - MM20
Tasks - MM20 sessions preparations and facilitation; - Work on UNFPA Covid initiatives;
Online meetings:
- UNAIDS correspondence;
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- Family Planning 2020 correspondence;
- OLM with SCORA-D x3
- ICPD+25 Youth platform correspondence;
- Ipas OLM- OLMs with UNFPA
- Ipas new draft restructure proposal work and coordinating with EB;
- Gender equity hub OLM
- Input for IDAHOT and Menstrual Hygiene campaigns;
- PMNCH new strategy webinar
- IFMSA Quarantine Library SRHR work;
- Liaison Officers OLM
- Collecting general Covid SRHR resources;
- EB elect OLM
- Collecting input for SRHR policies for AM'20; - Follow up of MM'20 tasks; follow up of Ipas trainings; - SCORA newsletter tasks; - Various emails with suggestions for LOs group work.
GENERAL ASSISTANT KLAUDIA SZYMUŚ ga.scora@ifmsa.org
Coordination of SCORA X-Change Providing members with transparency by newsletters, quarterly updates and other general publication means Collecting SCORA IT monthly reports, taking minutes during Online Meetings
Feb
Meetings - EMR16
Tasks - EMR16 facilitation and preparations;
- IFMSA preMM'20
- MM20 sessions preparations and social media management;
- Ipas Women's Reproductive Health and
- MM20 SCORA plenary preparations (voting cards, RCPs discussions);
Rights workshop
- survey from IFMSA President; - SCORA Buddies management;- Newsletter design;
Online meetings:
- Transparency Portal update;
- OLM with co-facilitators for MM20 x2
- Policy Commission on ASA policy;
- SCORA Submissions discussion webinar
- SXC hosts selection and way forward;
- CoC OLM
- SXC call for participants opened (approved form, social media promotion); - SXC on exchanges fair.
Mar
Meetings - MM20
Tasks - MM20 sessions preparations and facilitation; - MM20 SCORA Plenary preparations;
Online meetings:
- SXC call for participants closed and distributed to hosts, way forward on validity;
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- SXC and CoVID-19 management (follow-up on cancelled exchanges, replacement choices for
- OLM with SCORA DA ME and SCORA RA
participants, cooperation with remaining hosts to improve number of accepted participants);
for Africa for Maternal Health and Rights
- Newsletter #3 assignments;
campaign
- Transparency portal update and updates graphic;
- webinar “No health for all without gender
- SXC SWG follow up on sessions;
equality”
- Evaluation Forms and report form for SXC prepared; - 2nd round of SXC coordination; - concept note of the Maternal Health and Rights campaign; - content contribution to SRHR Activities in Quarantine; - ideas on joint sessions in pre-AM; - delivered emails for SXC certification to VPA; - input to GBV and CoVID-19 activity from AMSA; - Monthly report form sent; - SCORA articles rating and rating sheet; - SCORA Newsletter x3 design; - GBV activity design for eIPET.
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT FOR CAPACITY BULDING
MOHAMMED HICHEM SMAALI da.scora@ifmsa.org
Organising online trainings and improving existing workshops Creating new manuals, evaluating and following up already issued ones The main contact person regarding Sub-Regional Trainings Connecting trainers
Feb
Meetings Online meetings:
Tasks - SRTs approvals and follow ups;
- Individual OLMs with ST members x5
- MM 20 sessions preparations;
- SCORA CB Regulations OLM
- SCORA CB Regulations review.
- SCORA submissions discussion webinar
Mar
Meetings - MM20
Tasks - MM20 sessions preparations and facilitation; - IDAHOT international campaign work with PC RSRHR, SCORA RA Americas, SCORA DA ME;
Online meetings:
- Starting work on the online IPET;
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- Ipas one day training;
- online IPET OLM and Ipas one day
- SCORA Newsletter contribution;
training with SCORA-D x3
- General SRTs follow up.
- IDAHOT OLM x3 - OLM with SCORA RA for Americas about SRTs - OLM with SCORA DA ME about online IPET - IFMSA PRC Webinar on Content Creation
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT FOR MEMBER ENGAGEMENT ABRA ZAHID
da.me.scora@ifmsa.org Activating non-SCORA-active NMOs The main contact person regarding major SCORA campaigns, creation of toolkits and manuals Updating the SCORA Database Coordinating Open Spaces
Feb
Meetings Online meetings:
Tasks - Finalising the MM2020 sessions;
- OLMs with ST members individually
- Survey form IFMSA International;
- ST MM2020 OLM- Webinar for strategy
- SCORA safe space document for MM;
SWG
- SCORA Buddies Whatsapp group;
- SCORA Activation KOMS Kosovo
- Task division of IWD;
- IWD coordinators OLM
- SCORA Activation Azer-MDS and NMSA-Norway, KOMS-Kosovo.
- Pre-departure Webinar MM2020 - SCORA Activation NMSA-Norway with SCORA RA for Europe - Webinar for SCORA Strategy Adoption - SCORA submissions discussion webinar
Mar
Meetings - MM20
Tasks - SCORA Activation: creation of SCORA Activation tracking sheet, SCORA Activation guideline and SCORA Activation regulations document. Shared the Activation status with RAs and asked
Online meetings:
for input;
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- SCORA Open Space: Shared the SCORA Open space form via fb post and SCORA server,
- OLM with SMMAMS Malaysia and SCORA
Creation of a collective Open and Safe Space;
RA AP for SCORA Activation
- Discussion with SCORA D over SCORA Database management, cleaning up process and
- - IDAHOT campaign OLM with SCORA DA
starting really soon;
CB, SCORA RA for Americas, PC RSRHR x2
- IDAHOT campaign: Started Campaign thread, Campaign Concept Note completed, IT input
- OLM with SCORA GA and SCORA RA for
received, task completion done, contact with external partners for webinars via campaign
Africa for International Day of Maternal
coordinators and LRA;
Health and Rights Campaign
- Maternal Health and Rights Campaign: Started Campaign thread, Campaign Concept Note
- OLM with SCORA D
Completed, IT input received, task division done, implementation on work start;
- IWD Campaign OLM
- Menstrual Hygiene Day Campaign: Email thread started, brainstorming on ideas, Campaign
- OLM with SCORA DA CB for e-IPET
Concept Note working in process;
- Menstrual Hygiene Day Campaign OLM
- Campaigns Evaluation form sent for SRHR Awareness Day Campaign and IWD; - Added minutes of SCORA MM Sessions; - Newsletter part of SWG IWD and Strategy;- Created Online form for e-IPET and got its approval; - Assembling member Engagement Drive in SCORA IT folder.
REGIONAL ASSISTANT FOR AFRICA AREEG ABDALMAGID
ra.scora.africa@ifmsa.org The link between SCORA IT and NMOs from Africa Activating non-SCORA-active NMOs in Africa Coordinating Regional sessions at General Assemblies and SCORA Sessions at African Regional Meeting Assisting in organising Sub-Regional Trainings and solving SCORA-related problems within Africa
Feb
Meetings Online meetings:
Tasks - Working on the advertisement of the NMOs activities on the regional social media channels
- RT OLM
(WhatsApp regional groups, Facebook and regional emails);
- NMOs OLM (Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and
- SABC announcement regarding hosting NMO.
Ghana) - introductory OLM about how to apply for SCORA X-Change
Mar
Meetings Online meetings:
Tasks - Following up with the SABC proposal;
- RT OLM
- Starting the activation process for South Africa;
- OLM with SCORA GA and SCORA DA ME
- Maternal Health and Rights campaign preparations.
for International Day of Maternal Health and Rights Campaign - OLM with NORA Nigeria - OLM with NORA Rwanda - OLM with SCORA-D - Introductory OLM for Nigeria SCORA and EB members
REGIONAL ASSISTANT FOR AMERICAS FATIMA RODRIGUEZ
ra.scora.americas@ifmsa.org The link between SCORA IT and NMOs from Americs Activating non-SCORA-active NMOs in Americas Coordinating Regional sessions at General Assemblies and SCORA Sessions at American Regional Meeting Assisting in organising Sub-Regional Trainings and solving SCORA-related problems within Americas
Feb
Meetings - HEAT Peru
Tasks - Follow up kit HEAT SRT Peru; - Follow up kit AmRM;
Online meetings:
- SWG proposal (draft) CoC and sexual harassment manual Americas;
- Americas RT OLM
- Joint session SCOME-SCORA preparations
- OLM with NORA AMMEF
- CoC coordination SRT Peru;
- OLM with NORA IFMSA Quebec
- Safety day and condom day Peru;
- OLM with NORA AEMPPI
- SCORA Camp Peru 2020;
- OLM with SCORA DA CB, SCORE and
- CoC AmRM 2020 (tracking);
SCOPH RAs OLM (MM regional sessions)
- MM outline finalization;- NORAs buddies system preparations.
- OLM with ST member - OLM with NORA ASCEMCOL (V2V) - OLM with NORA elected IFMSA Grenade - OLM with NORA elected AMMEF - OLM with facilitators HEAT SRT Peru - OLM with facilitators SCORA Camp Peru - OLM with NORA ASCEMCOL (CB spaces) - OLM with NORA IFMSA Guatemala
Mar
Tasks
Meetings - MM20
- MM20 sessions preparations and facilitation;
- Coordination of webinar with NORAs from
- Internal work with NORAs;
IFMSA Quebec, IFMSA Chile and AMMEF
Online meetings:
- NORAs buddy system planning and activation;
"Current situation of women in the Americas
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- Follow-up of CB proposals (Americas RA CB
region";
- IDAHOT campaign OLM with SCORA DA
and SCORA DA CB);
- HEAT SRT Peru - report in SCORA Newsletter;
CB, SCORA DA ME, PC RSRHR x2
- V2V situation and proposal(ASCEMCOL);
- Promotion of national IWD activities (CFMS,
-OLM with SCORA-D
- IPET situation and proposals (IFMSA Brazil,
IFMSA Bolivia, AMMEF, IFMSA Guatemala) in
- OLM with SCORA DA for CB
AMMEF);
SCORA Newsletter;
- OLM with PC for RSRHR for webinar x2
- Ipas situation (IFMSA Quebec);
- SCORA Mascot regional campaign: Contest
- OLM with RA CB
- Ipas proposal (IFMSA Chile;
looking for a name for baby narwhal;
- Individual OLM with RD
- IDAHOT international campaign work
- Monitoring lost of communication with NORAs:
- RT OLM x2
- IDAHOT regional campaign work;
IFMSA Argentina (communication recovered),
- OLM with NORA IFMSA Argentina
- Planning and preparing the outline for the
IFMSA Paraguay (communication recovered);
- OLM with NORA IFMSA Peru
social media campaign (Virtual magazine
- Activation/Inactivation Status Tracking, SCORA
- OLM with NORA IFMSA Grenade
focused on LGBTIQ+ issues);
in NMOs of the Americas (Work with SCORA DA
- Coordination of webinar with PC for RSRHR
ME);
"How to make a good enrollment process"
- Update NORAs Database.
REGIONAL ASSISTANT FOR ASIA-PACIFIC SHWETA PODUVAL
ra.scora.asiapacific@ifmsa.org The link between SCORA IT and NMOs from Asia-Pacific Activating non-SCORA-active NMOs in Asia-Pacific Coordinating Regional sessions at General Assemblies and SCORA Sessions at Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting Assisting in organising Sub-Regional Trainings and solving SCORA-related problems within AsiaPacific
Feb
Meetings Online meetings:
Tasks - pre-APRM Workshop Proposal submitted;
- OLM with SCORA DA for CB for pre-APRM
- Submitted questions for Sessions Team Call for SCORA Sessions at the APRM;
workshop proposal
- SRHR Awareness Campaign: Worked on campaign posts with PC RSRHR;
- OLM with PC GBV for MM20 Session
- MM20 Sessions: Finalised session outlines, worked on regional sessions, reached out to
- MM20 SCORA Preparations Webinar
buddies; - SXC: Worked on promoting it among AP Members using Facebook; - Submitted mid-term report for AP RT.
Mar
Meetings - MM20
Tasks - MM20 sessions preparations and facilitation; - SCORA Activation: Followed up with Malaysia Contact Person after discussions at the MM,
Online meetings:
Began work on SCORA Activation of other NMOs with SCORA D and SCORA DA ME;
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- Worked on SCORA Section for AP View Newsletter;
- AP RT OLM x2
- MM20 Follow-Up: Worked on MM20 Sessions Document;
- OLM with SMMAMS Malaysia and SCORA
- SRHR Campaign: Worked with PC RSRHR on Campaign Evaluation, Write-Up for SCORA
DA ME for SCORA Activation
Newsletter and began work with PC RSRHR on CSE Manual (Follow up to SRHR Campaign);
- OLM with PC RSRHR to discuss way
- COVID-19: Contributed to SRHR Activities Resources Database, Brainstormed ideas for
forward with SRHR Awareness Campaign
Regional Campaign on the same;
- OLM with AP NMO Presidents to discuss
- AP: Worked on SCORA AP Month Posts, Worked with AP RT to figure out situation with APRM;
way forward with APRM
- e-IPET: Worked on Sex Positive Approach sessions.
- IFMSA PRC Webinar on Content Creation
REGIONAL ASSISTANT FOR EMR YARA HISHAM OTHMAN ra.scora.emr@ifmsa.org
The link between SCORA IT and NMOs from EMR Activating non-SCORA-active NMOs in EMR Coordinating Regional sessions at General Assemblies and SCORA Sessions at EMR Regional Meeting Assisting in organising Sub-Regional Trainings and solving SCORA-related problems within EMR
Feb
Meetings - pre-EMR16
Tasks - EMR16 preparations
- EMR16 Online meetings: - Regional Team OLM - SCOPH RA for EMR OLM
Mar
Meetings Online meetings:
Tasks - First NORA weekend session;
- OLM with NORAs and SRHR and COVID
- EMR16 report;
- RT OLM
- SCORA Newsletter contribution;
- Regional campaign regarding COVID-19
- Brainstorm on Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign.
OLM - Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign OLM
REGIONAL ASSISTANT FOR EUROPE IEVA BERANKYTĖ
ra.scora.europe@ifmsa.org The link between SCORA IT and NMOs from Europe Activating non-SCORA-active NMOs in Europe Coordinating Regional sessions at General Assemblies and SCORA Sessions at European Regional Meeting Assisting in organising Sub-Regional Trainings and solving SCORA-related problems within European
Feb
Meetings - IFMSA preMM'20 - Ipas
Tasks -- calls for NECSE participants: GDPR approval received, call opened;
Women's Reproductive Health and Rights
- call for NECSE regulations’ amendments sent;
workshop
- NECSE membership applications received; - Ipas: email to participants and WhatsApp group created;
Online meetings:
- Ipas Pre–evaluation form shared;
- Ipas facilitators OLM
- Ipas Sessions prepared;
- OLM with SCORA D
- EuRegMe20 Sessions Team and sessions input questions prepared;
- OLM with NECSE OC
- EuRegMe20 Sessions Team selected and contacted;
- OLM with NMSA Norway and DA ME
- MM20 SCORA ST work;
- OLM with ANEM NORA
- SCORA European Regional Session at MM20 prepared;
- OC meeting of EuRegMe20
- Follow–up emails on SCORA Activation in NMOs;
- OLM with KOMS - Kosovo and DA ME
- Obstetric Violence and Humanized Birth Policy Commission work; - General IT/Euro Team administrative and/or preparation tasks.
Mar
Meetings - MM20
Tasks - MM20 sessions preparations and facilitation; - Reaching out to NORAs regarding engagement;
Online meetings:
- NECSE - discussion on the way forward;
- MM20 Evaluation OLM
- Ipas training (input to 1 day training agenda; pre - MM outcomes description);
- ET OLM on Joint Sessions in EuRegMe20
- e - IPET (assistance with pre - and post - evaluation forms);
- EuRegMe20 ST OLM
- Brainstorm on Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign.
- OLMs with SCORA DA CB - Menstrual Hygiene Day campaign OLM
FULFILLED CAMPAINGS
SRHR AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
12th Feb
This Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Awareness Day, SCORA worked to raise awareness about and advocate for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). We had posts on Facebook where we shared the 8 key concepts that UNESCO defines that must be at the core of any CSE curriculum, the relevance of CSE with respect to the Sustainable Development Goals, information about various NMO activities on CSE, and information about the Realizing SRHR Program with our members. Through our campaign, we spread to our members the important message that ensuring universal access to CSE lies at the centre of fulfilment of sexual and reproductive rights and is extremely vital for ensuring sustainable development. We will also release a follow-up manual to the campaign in coming months with information on CSE Activity Management with NMOs.
If anyone has any information they would like to contribute to this manual, they can email us at realizingsrhr@ifmsa.org or ra.scora.asiapacific@ifmsa.org.
FULFILLED CAMPAINGS
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
8th Mar
This year we celebrated IWD with the theme “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights” marking the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action. We kickstarted our campaign by releasing the IWD photo frame and a series of posts exploring WHY we need Generation Equality, HOW to achieve it and the importance of Meaningful Youth Participation for reaching Gender Equality. The highlight of the IWD was releasing the I am Generation Equality video presenting IFMSA members avowing to stand for women’s rights in all languages, everywhere, reflecting our universal goal. We will conclude our campaign with releasing the good practices manual which will compile valuable resources that can help our NMOs ensure gender empowerment and representation and the Gender in Medical Education Survey results in the following months.
If you have any bylaws or strategies for ensuring gender representation and empowerment in your NMO and think that they should be included in our Good Practices manual please contact us at gbv@ifmsa.org, da.me.scora@ifmsa.org or prc.scorp@ifmsa.org.
FULFILLED CAMPAINGS
REGIONAL:Â INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FGM
6th Feb
Female genital mutilation is one of the most blatant forms of human rights violations against women and in many countries throughout the EMR, it is still a common practice. A regional campaign marks the International day of Zero Tolerance for FGM and continuing for a week after it. The aim of the campaign was to showcase the work done by NMOs against FGM while also inspiring officers and activity coordinators with different ideas and helping them partner with their national and local NGOs. We had a series of posts tackling what is FGM and its different types, health impacts, statistics and the medicalization of FGM. We concluded the campaign with sharing an FGM status map in the EMR covering statistics, existing laws, NGOs and facilities providing legal and psychological support for survivors and activities carried out by each NMO. The information in the map was compiled through research and information shared by the NORAs in the EMR region.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MARCH MEETING 2020 KIGALI, RWANDA
March Meeting is the first time in the term in which SCORA members from all around the globe gather for a face to face meeting. It is the opportunity to share, discuss, give input, learn and get inspired to take further steps. The Sessions Team established the following goals and vision for the SCORA Sessions: To provide the participants with the most updated knowledge on SRHR related topics throughout sessions’ content To provide the participants with useful skills to develop their own advocacy initiatives back home
To exchange initiatives, activities and good practices A platform for decision making A space where participants take the lead We did touch upon all SCORA focus areas and did so through theme days to walk through different SRHR topics in a comprehensive manner: SCORA is having real impact: comprehensive sexuality education When the personal becomes political SCORA is all about you Community empowerment: the future is intersectional
In case you did not attend, here you can access the agenda and sessions descriptions. Soon we will have available a comprehensive Follow up kit with all the outcomes and resources used during the meeting in addition to a few “further reads” that we hope you will enjoy!
Last, the Survival Kit started with the following quote: "You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the
We’d like to take the chance to thank all participants for their engagement, it would not have been the same without every one of you. We hope you enjoyed as much as we did preparing the sessions. We tried our best to fulfil your expectations and we are looking forward to meeting you all again in the August Meeting. Since then, remember we are always one email away.
time."
- Angela Davis
We hope you found some reasons to keep acting as if it were possible to radically transform the world in Rwanda and that you gathered new perspectives on how to do that back home at any level. We are looking forward to seeing what you are up to next and always here to support you in all of your initiatives!
Finally during the second day participants learnt about STIs. Later, how to do a campaign positively and the difference between a positive awareness campaign and a bad one.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGIONAL MEETING EMR 16 was held in Dead Sea, Jordan from the 5th of February till the 9th of February. We had over 20 SCORAngels as participants and the most amazing SCORA sessions’ team: SCORA Director Laura Lalucat (AECS-Catalonia), the SCORA General Assistant Klaudia Szymuś (IFMSA-Poland), the EMR Regional Assistant, Yara Hisham and three NORAs: Ahmed Said from IFMSA-Egypt, Lea Habib from LeMSIC-Lebanon and Yahya Lablad from IFMSA-Morocco. During the SCORA sessions, the first day participants were asked to brainstorm about the barriers found in the EMR and how to tackle them. Then participants learnt the correct terminology and what to say and what not to say. The terminologies were given in Arabic as it is not always easy to translate to our own languages some SRHR related terms and it is crucial to reach to our communities. Later that day we had 3 parallel sessions about consent, FGM and sexting during a world’s cafe. On the second day, participants learnt about the myths and true facts about virginity. Then they were given a session about how to take sexual history in a sex-positive way and the impact of that on patients.
On the final day of EMR16, participants were asked to create CSE campaigns in different situations such as talking about sexual pleasure in primary health care or menstrual hygiene. We also had a session about external representation and how to write policy documents and what IFMSA does regarding externals and what is the importance of policy documents. After that participants had a session about sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Some terminologies were explained, then participants had a power walk. Finally participants played a game regarding Antenatal care where they learnt medical information about antenatal care and what is the impact of safe motherhood. The main aim of SCORA EMR16 session was to concentrate on all focus areas with being regionoriented and support participants first by the safe space, then support with information and techniques to overcome the barriers found in the region. Access the follow-up folder here.
WHAT IS... HEAT? OBJECTIVES
THE CONCEPT The
HIV
Build capacity of medical students in comprehensive approach to
Education
&
Advocacy Training (HEAT) has been developed as part of SCORA’s effort in the fight against HIV and stigma as it offers a 3-day cohesive
training
that
tackles the medical, social and
advocacy
knowledge
in
related order
to
shape a new generation of HIV educators that are well aware of the current SRHR challenges it is present and who are ready to be part
of
the
future
advocates against HIV.
HIV and AIDS aspects that will pass the knowledge to future generations of educators. Empower young medical students to advocate for improvement in their communities. To discuss that HIV is more than just a medical condition and to shape
future
professionals.
aware
medical
WHAT IS... BEAST? OBJECTIVES
THE CONCEPT
To capacitate medical students
The Basic Engagement in Advocacy
for
SOGI
Training
covers
topic
related
LGBTQ+
community obstacles
and in
healthcare.
their
access It
to
provides
with tools to advocate for improvement in education quality and to cooperate with
stakeholders.
It
raises awareness among medical
students
non-discriminatory practices.
about
in
their
differences
knowledge in
amongst
health
the
population
of care
general
and
LGBTQ+
populations, including barriers to healthcare. To
deconstruct
discrimination
stigma
and
carried
by
healthcare providers and develop skills to identify and eliminate LGBTQ+ phobia. To empower medical students to identify gaps in education and training
relating
to
LGBTQ+
health care. To engage with appropriate stakeholders in order to address these opportunities for growth.
SUB-REGIONAL TRAININGS A Sub Regional Training (SRT) is an international meeting supported by the IFMSA, where members and motivated students from a (sub)region or sometimes even further away can meet and participate in trainings, workshops and small working groups.
HEAT in Peru Where: Trujillo, Peru When: 05.02. - 09.02. This workshop was attended by 10 empowered peruvian participants and was facilitated for the SCORA RA for Americas, Fatima Rodriguez, and Manuel Juan Jose Valderrama, NORA from IFMSA Peru. Thanks to this workshop, Peru has its first generation of HEAT facilitators. For graduation participants held a session about Appriopriate Language in HIV and will conduct an activity in their communities on World HIV Testing Day.
SMALL WORKING GROUPS Through the whole term we opened 4 Small Working Groups, which give opportunity to members to contribute to work on international level.
SCORA X-Change SWG Members: Jimmy Chau (IFMSA-Quebec) Dareen Adham Abbas (IFMSA-Egypt) Myesha Maliha Prema (BMSSBangladesh) Basma Owda (IFMSA-Jo) Hiba Thasleem (IFMSA-Pakistan) Qusai Khaled Helmi (IFMSA-Egypt) David Kaunda (NiMSA-Nigeria) Mahmoud Alwakeel (IFMSA-Egypt) Noor Alwhaidi (PMSA-Palestine)
SCORA CB Regulations SWG Members: Mehek Cheema (MSAI-India)Â Yahya Lablad (IFMSA-Morocco) Ahmed Said (IFMSA-Egypt) Rawan El Baghdady (IFMSA-Egypt) Erica Clemente (SISM-Italy)
Coordinated by: SCORA Development Assistant for Capacity Building
Coordinated by: SCORA General Assistant
SCORA Strategy SWG Members: Ushna Khan (IFMSA-Pakistan) Christos Papaioannou (HeIMSICGreece) Mehek Cheema (MSAI-India) Omar I Ali (IFMSA-Egypt) Pedro Palenzuela (IFMSA-Spain) Rawan El Baghdady (IFMSA-Egypt)
Coordinated by: SCORA Development Assistant for Members Engagement
International Women's Day SWG Members: Barbara Nyaga (MSAKE-Kenya) Alberto Cadena Alegria (AEMPPIEcuador) Ishika Kaul (MSAI India) Lea Habib (LeMSIC-Lebanon) Hayder Tariq Rasheed (IFMSA-Iraq) Ece Ezelsoy (TurkMSIC-Turkey) Coordinated by: SCORA Development Assistant for Members Engagement, Program Coordinator for Gender-Based Violence, SCORP Public Relations and Communication Assistant
EXTERNAL UPDATE
POLICY DOCUMENTS A policy document represents IFMSA’s beliefs regarding a particular issue. During March Meeting 2020 some of SRHR-related Policy Documents were re-adopted. Check them out!
Obstetric Violence and Humanized Birth
Ending GenderBased Violence
Breastfeeding
Ensuring Access to Safe Abortion
Click on the title to open the file.
SCORA OPPORTUNITIES We present you different ways in which you could engage in international work. Please, take a look at the descriptions and how to keep track on them.
SMALL WORKING GROUPS
CALLS FOR OBSERVERS
Small Working Groups (SWGs) are a tool to engage IFMSA members worldwide. They are tackling a specific topic (eg. SCORA XChange SWG or SCORA Strategy SWG) and sometimes they can merge the objectives from more than one Standing Committee. In the SWGs members contribute to development of a SC, create materials to be used by medical students worldwide and get the experience of work on international level. Calls for SWGs are shared via email servers and on Facebook groups.
SCORA International Team along with Program Coordinators meets at least once per month. Sometimes Monthly Online Meetings are available for chosen SCORAngels to attend. It serves the purpose for the IT to get input for work and for members - to observe strategies of international work and maybe implement it in their communities. Calls are shared via email servers and on Facebook groups.
SHARED NMO ACTIVITIES All enrolled to IFMSA activities can be shared during different occasions: international campaigns, competitions, Activities Fair during General Assemblies or many more! If your local or national work is worth sharing, stay tuned for upcoming calls on Facebook groups!
CALLS FOR DELEGATION LRA attends multiple external meetings throughout the term and for some there is a possibility for IFMSA members to attend as well. It gives the opportunity to see how external meetings are held, to meet different stakeholders and to engage with advocates from the IFMSA delegation. Calls for delegations are shared via email servers and on Facebook groups.
SCORA AND COVID-19 COVID-19 became a worldwide problem and impacted international work due to governmental limitation around the world. It also affects every individual and sexual and reproductive health and rights are not the exception here. Please, take a look at SCORA situation since the pandemic started.
Cancellations: SCORA X-Change: Canada, France, Ghana, Quebec and Turkey SRTs: in Quebec, Pakistan and in Greece
Postponed: EuRegMe NECSE
RESOURCES IFMSA's collective issue in developing Resources Center resulted in creating a SRHR folder. It focuses on: gendered aspects of COVID-19 how global pandemic affect access to safe abortion
expected outcomes on HAART for people living with HIV? supporting people experiencing domestic violence during quarantine effects of COVID-19 on maternal health If you are interested in any of these, click here and enjoy reading! SCORA also supports you in staying home by proposing SRHR activities list. You can find there SCORA-related movies, series, books, courses and much more! Check it here.
COMING SOON IN SCORA In April and May we will have 3 campaings: International Day for Maternal Health and Rights on the 11th of April,
CAMPAIGNS
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on the 17th of May and Menstrual Hygiene Day on the 28th of May. Stay tuned for a big doze of information!
POLICY DOCUMENTS SWG
Before every General Assembly the call for members to SWGs for Policy Documents is shared. Medical students around the globe can contribute with their points of view and experience to shape IFMSA stances on certain topics. Calls will be shared via email servers and on Facebook groups.
The online International Peer Education Training (IPET) targets medical students who would like to develop their skills as peer educators, especially having in mind international cooperation for Comprehensive Sexuality Education. This online version would be an opportunity
ONLINE IPET
to empower medical students to further develop their skills in communication and group dynamics while exploring values, attitudes and knowledge in the field of SRHR and youth programming in prevention and health promotion. It also aims to give tools to set up CSE project in your NMO. The training will be using online platforms to make it accessible for anyone in the world and will be happening over the course of one month and a half.
GLOBAL GAG RULE: WHY DOES IT MATTER RIGHT NOW? Article by Eunice Thambiraja CFMS-Canada Global Gag Rule 101 Under the Mexico City Policy, popularly referred to as the global gag rule, U.S. federal funding is blocked for any non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling or referrals, advocate to decriminalize abortion, or expand abortion services. This essentially means that when the gag rule is in effect any NGO around the world that receives federal funding assistance from the U.S. government is required to certify that they will not "perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning" even with non-U.S. funds. This assertion of control over non-U.S. funds and thereby over entire organizations has popularized the policy as a “gag rule”. Though the situation is far more complex and the need for funding for NGOs is an urgent and relevant issue, what lies at the heart of the global gag rule is an insidious way to ensure that the supply of safe abortion services is limited globally. When the policy is in effect, if NGOs accept federal assistance from the United States government, their hands are tied. Historically, this policy has been reinstated when a Republican candidate presides over the government and rescinded when a Democratic candidate takes over office. It was first introduced during the Reagan administration and is currently in effect on account of the infamous Republican candidate who is presently in power.
Comprehensive Care During Coronavirus Crisis During a pandemic like the current one, people are often advised to stock up on essentials including prescription drugs and other crucial healthcare supplies in case they need to remain at home for extended periods of time. Being that sexual health is an important and inalienable component of one’s health, items like contraceptive pills, condoms, lubrication and emergency contraception are bound to be on the list of essential items to be stocked up on. However, accumulating this necessary stockpile will not be easy for many due to shortage of supply, insurance policies with monthly limits and a general lack of access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare where they live. What happens when people can’t access short-term contraceptives? The answer seems obvious: people are more likely to want to switch to long-term alternatives like IntraUterine Devices (IUDs). In the U.S, there is an established precedent for this. In the wake of the notorious 2016 election, many people were afraid that their sexual and reproductive health coverage under insurance would be affected by the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. This lead to a measurable surge in the demand for IUDs. During the Zika virus crisis in 2015 and 2016, there was an increased demand for contraception, counseling and comprehensive abortion services. This was due to the fact that pregnant women and infants were found to be at a heightened risk for health complications from the virus. If a similar pattern is established for COVID-19, this may prompt some people to avoid, delay or terminate pregnancies increasing the demand for reproductive healthcare services. Current Effects of the Global Gag Rule In countries where the government response to COVID-19 has been less than adequate and in humanitarian settings, the pivotal role of NGOs in filling gaps in healthcare is undeniable. The available supply of healthcare services and the available workforce of healthcare professionals are all being directed to prioritize the COVID-19 situation and this leaves many in a vulnerable position in terms of their sexual and reproductive health. In countries where access to SRHR is already restricted, the current situation adds yet another set of hoops to jump through.
The available supply of healthcare services and the available workforce of healthcare professionals are all being directed to prioritize the COVID19 situation and this leaves many in a vulnerable position in terms of their sexual and reproductive health. In countries where access to SRHR is already restricted, the current situation adds yet another set of hoops to jump through. However, due to the current global gag rule in effect, many organizations are unable to step in and provide the comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare that is required. This leaves an infilled gap in the healthcare services available to the population during the pandemic. The effects of the gag rule extend far beyond the U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations in Guatemala, India and the Middle East are being affected by the conditions of the federal assistance they receive from the US.
The US governmental policies on sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights is intersecting dangerously with the current pandemic. The fact that whether the US president in office is a Republican or a Democrat could have direct effects on the reproductive health of a young woman in rural India is distressingly dystopian. The gag rule boils down to a powerful government enforcing a pro-life agenda on non-governmental organizations using conditional federal funding under the guise of “healthcare assistance”. We must be active and vocal in denouncing the policy, as medical students and as members of the global population, in an effort to establish transparency as a precedent for all governmental healthcare assistance and in order to work towards SRHR coverage for all.
References: 1) https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/health/iud-birth-control-trump.html 2) https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2017/06/when-antiabortion-ideology-turns-foreign-policy-how-global-gag-ruleerodes-health-ethics 3) https://www.vox.com/2016/6/23/12011524/zika-abortion-pill-latin-america