REPRODUKTIVE RIGHTS

Women’s empowerment, reproductive rights, gender and community mobilisation are key aspects of DIFAA-supported efforts to expand access to and improve the quality of reproductive health services, especially in the rural and urban areas. Gaps in reproductive health care account for nearly one fifth of the worldwide burden of illness and premature death, and one third of the illness and death among women of reproductive age. These gaps could be closed and millions of lives saved with highly cost-effective investments in this area, including contraceptive services and supplies now in severe global shortage. Reproductive health yields a high return on investment. Reproductive health services, especially for the poorest with the greatest need, not only improve quality of life for individuals and families but also contribute to economic growth, societal and gender equity, and democratic governance. In particular, adequate funding of programmes enabling young people to avoid unwanted pregnancy, unsafe childbirth and sexually transmitted infections [STIs] would produce a significant benefit to development and slow the spread of HIV and AIDS. Key areas of DIFAA support are featured below in examples of action in family planning, safe motherhood, obstetric fistula, adolescent reproductive health, gender violence, commodity security and access and quality.  Violence against women is strongly associated with poor reproductive health, including reduced demand for, and access to, reproductive health services. DIFAA works with local governments to establish district mechanisms to monitor and reduce gender violence, and monitors their commitment. In 2008, 6 districts had a local monitoring mechanism in place, and 5 more were reported to be developing such mechanisms.  Reproductive choice is a human right, but it cannot be exercised without access to relevant information and high-quality services. To help individuals exercise this right, DIFAA supports programmes that help meet the need for family planning, safer and healthier pregnancy and childbirth, and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections [STIs], including HIV and AIDS.  Areas of particular concern are adolescent reproductive health, obstetric fistula and gender violence. In district of Ponorogo, DIFAA education and information campaigns targeted  adolescents and youth, with a view towards delaying first pregnancies and reducing the country’s rate of abortion. Reproductive health messages were conveyed via the mass  media and through promotional materials such as calendars, pens and T-shirts, like the one worn by this Ponorogo  teenager