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The 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights YOGYAKARTA 19 - 22 OCTOBER 2011
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The story behind ...
APCRSHR in Focus
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Welcome to Yogyakarta, the city of culture!
Every two years since 2001, the Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights has been held in various cities in the AsiaPacific region including Manila, Bangkok, Selangor, Hyderabad, and Beijing. Now is the turn of Yogyakarta in Indonesia. This year the conference theme is: “Claiming Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Asian and Pacific Societies”. Why Yogyakarta? Of course, the consideration is not merely due to host, Center for Population and Policy Studies Gadjah Mada University, is located in Yogyakarta, but also because this 255 year old city is very special. Yogyakarta, a city in the middle of Java, is well known as the city of culture and still has the Sultan as the head of the provincial government. Under the leadership of Sultan, Yogyakarta is city of tolerance. People from diverse backgrounds live harmoniously in this city. Many of them are high school or university students. Conditions of plurality and diversity require people to be respectful each other.
As a proof of this tolerance, in Yogyakarta, particularly on this campus, Gadjah Mada University, five years ago, a group of human rights experts and activists launched the”Yogyakarta Principles” for the Application of Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. The first principle is that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Human beings of all sexual orientations and gender identities are entitled to the full enjoyment of all human rights.” Now, about 1.000 delegates from 53 countries are attending this conference. They include government officials, UN representatives, politicians, NGOs activists, academicians, students, youth, and researchers with a common concern on the issues of reproductive and sexual health and rights. So, while you are enjoying the conference, why not also enjoy the beauty of Yogyakarta and the tolerance of its people? Happy participating!
The 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights YOGYAKARTA 19 - 22 OCTOBER 2011
APCRSHR Focus I Volume 1 I Page 1
Youth Day: Stay Young, Stay Smart The 6th Asia Pacific Conference in Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights was very cool. It opened with critical thoughts from young people in the Youth Forum. Fearlessly, these adolescents spoke about their ideas related to the theme: “Youth Access to Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights”. Together, these young people were looking at pushing the commitments and accountability of the governments on comprehensive sexually education for young people, youth friendly service for young people, and youth diversity. All the processes happened during that full day was extracted in the “Youth Declaration” as the future advocacy material for the meaningful youth-adult partnership. At the end of the day, all of the participants were encouraged to share their hopes and ideas on pieces of paper and hung them in the “commitment tree”. The tree became a symbol to let the wish “raising” and become reality.
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Syefa Said…
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Hi, I am Syefa Ahmed, IPPF Governing Council Youth Member and Chairperson of the South Asia Regional Youth Network of IPPF, SAR. What I would like to state here is that all adolescents and young people are aware of their sexual and reproductive rights, are empowered to make informed choices and decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health, and are able to act on them.
Youth diversity as one of important sub themes of youth issues became the most majority issue discussed in the plenary session of Youth Forum APCRSHR6.
The 6th APCRSHR in Focus Editorial Team Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Muhadjir Darwin, MPA Dr. Anna Marie Wattie Reporters: Brigitta Bestari Puspita Dina Listiorini Thalita Evani Hindarto Wenny Arifani Novi Wulandari Teguh Budi Harto Photographers: Yoga Putra Prof. Dr. Mark Woodward Erniatun Hartini Danu Saputra Editors: Yoga Putra Prof. Dr. Mark Woodward Lay-out and Design: Sampur Ariyanto Printed by: PANIRA OFFSET
There are two main focuses of this issue according to youth participants of this conference; those are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual, and Queer (LGBTIQ) issue and Educational background. Youth thought that most LGBTIQ could not reveal themselves freely due to society’s rejection toward their choice. Not only society, government also seems like not providing any places or even policies for them. Therefore, some of this group chooses to do genital mutilation as both the solution of their problem and also the protest toward government and society.
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Youth Diversity Overall, youth expect that both society and government do not focus on this diversity, but mainly focus on the youth itself. Youth need get attention and real action as the next better generation.
Otherwise, the educational background becomes another concern of youth diversity because education, especially which is related to sexuality, is very limited. Due to the taboo consideration, old norms and faith society, young people would always get stuck to get their rights which are very important to their life.
The 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights YOGYAKARTA 19 - 22 OCTOBER 2011
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Why The Youth Forum is Important for Us? The Youth Forum is conducted one day before the conference and attended by not only hundred youth participants from Asia Pacific countries but also by other participants, including national and international journalists, observers, presenters and donors. Some people have been interviewed stated that Youth Forum is important to be discussed in this conference. V Thusandra (24 years), youth participant from International Youth Pe e r Ed u c at i o n N e t wo r k o n S ex u a l Reproductive Health – Focal Point in Charge Srilanka (YPEER-FPC) thought that the youth issue is very crucial because young people are sexually active, but they lack sexual and reproductive health k nowledge and comprehensive sex education. In line with this argument is Olin Monteiro, a writer from Indonesia, stated that youth education on sexuality and reproductive health in every level is become number one to be solved.
Another important issue for her is related to diversity. The Indonesian youth should increase solidarity and understanding on issues due to emergence of fundamentalism. The problem of the birth and social welfare is also become important issues related for the youth. The youth participants from China, Qi Si Li (21 years) and Wang Yi Ran (24 years old) said that the problem of the youth become the problem of the future especially for their country because there is a large population in their country. It has consequence with poor people and a lot of social problems might be arisen, including the youth in it. Related with this argument is from Ashita Sultana Chowdry (24 years) from Bangladesh, who comes to the conference as an observer. For her, the most important issue related to the youth is the emergence of early marriage. Actually in her country, the age which is
recommended for married is 18 for woman and 21 for man. The problem is mostly in the recent time the age of the girl at 13 and 15 especially in the rural area. This is happened, because the girls and their family are uneducated. The situation can cause another suffer especially for the girls, for example on the pre and post pregnancy, unsafe give a birth, child death and many more. Some of participants stated that the government lack to give a concern about the youth related to sexual and reproductive health. This is known by the minimum support for youth concern, said V. Thusandra (24 years). Kanina Sista one of the art performers on the Youth Forum agreed with this situation. For her, there are some discriminations towards LGBTs related to service and information about sexual and reproductive health.
Synopsis of Ardhanareesvara This dance is an interpretation of the Old Javanese tale Ardhanareesvara in which the Hindu god Shiva appears in a form that is half male and half female. It epitomizes and balances the dualistic character of human life. All of the female parts are performed by men. The dance combines a variety of regional genre in an enticing and dynamic way. The opening is adapted from the classical Bedhaya tradition of the Javanese royal courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta with dynamic innovations. The strong mystical voice of the music reminds us of past times when women’s roles were performed by male dancers. Next is the familiar “hot” voice common in West Javanese society in the story of Ronggeng Gunung. The performance is lively and a bit naughty, with shoulders, hips, and torsos moving in special ways. There is rather boisterous voice from East Java in the Kuntulan and Gandrung dances from Banyuwangi which are captivatingly beautiful. The piercing sound of the Balinese Kanjar, together with the Legong dancers is a greeting to welcome the principle performer Ardhanareesvara, who balances to two modes of exitence and is the creative inspiration for the Topeng dance Dwi Muka, or in English: “The Two Faces”.
The 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights YOGYAKARTA 19 - 22 OCTOBER 2011
APCRSHR in Focus I Volume 1 I Page 3
The story behind ... this relief focused on divine qualities of the child rather the personal experience of becoming a mother. It does show that reproductive matters were important concerns at that time, more than a thousand years ago. We do not know of there were discussions about reproductive rights at that time and it is obvious that in those days pregnant women and prenatal care were important. Devaki is being cared for by two midwives to make sure that she will deliver a health baby and stay healthy herself.
At the ancient Hindu temple Prambanan, which is one of the most popular tourism sites in Yogyakarta, there is relief carving depicting a pregnant woman called Devaki assisted by two midwives. Due to the ancient tradition according to which pregnancy is unimportant,
Ancient people already thought that reproductive health wass important. Today we are increasingly aware of the health risks associated with pregnancy and must focus attention on reducing infant and maternal mortality. Ancient people responded to these challenges with ceremonies and prayers when the child quickens in the womb and shows that it is thriving. Some people believe that if a pregnant woman sees something frightening it can influence the appearance of the child. Today we do not need taboos. We need to step forward and be open to what is important. Claiming sexual and reproductive rights, especially for women, is something that needs to be done now.
Hosted by
Center for Population and Policy Studies Gadjah Mada University
Supported by
Badan Kependudukan dan KB Nasional
The 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights YOGYAKARTA 19 - 22 OCTOBER 2011
APCRSHR in Focus I Volume 1 I Page 4