health rights

healthrights — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:50:26 +0000

Abstinence only sex education violates the basic human right to health.
These programs teach that abstinence is the only way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, HIV and other STDs. There is a lack of information about contraceptive methods, and some of the teachings are proven to be medically inaccurate.
For example, they may teach that condoms do not decrease the dangers of sex, or that AIDS can be contracted via sweat.
Comprehensive sex education emphasizes abstinence but also teaches about methods of contraception, promoting the use of condoms. There is currently no law to regulate what is being taught in sex ed classes.

Internationally recognized law clearly states that all people have the
right to “seek, receive and impart information of all kinds” including
information about their health. The CRC, CEDAW, ICCPR, and, ICESCR are four major international covenants which support this. CEDAW also states that women have the “rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the information, education, and means to enable them to exercise these rights.”

Some people say promoting abstinence and condom use in the same class sends mixed messages. Numerous research studies have proven again and again that teaching comprehensive sex ed. does not actually increase sexual activity.
The issue here is what works when it comes to protecting peoples’ health.

Since 1998, more than $1 billion in federal funds have been allocated to abstinence-only programs, including nearly $800 million between 2001 and 2006, during the presidency of George W. Bush.
Despite the fact that abstinence-only programs have not proven successful here in the U.S., they are at the core of the Bush Administration’s plan for U.S. involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention globally.
In the late 90s Uganda was using the ABC prevention formula, which stands for Abstinence, Be faithful and Condoms. Their HIV infection rate went from 30% to 10%.
Now their program has been taken over by abstinence only programs, due to United States funding and things are getting worse. In only two years the HIV infections have almost doubled going from 70,000 in 2003 to130,000 in 2005

In France, Germany and the Netherlands, there are dramatically fewer cases of teenage pregnancy, HIV and other STD infection. For example, here in the US the teen pregnancy rate is nine times higher than that in the Netherlands. How can we use these countries as a model? Scroll down to the entry titled “Comparing the US to France, Germany and the Netherlands” to find out more about this.

We need laws to create a standard for comprehensive sex education. It is a basic human right that should be regulated and enforced.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

healthrights — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:48:41 +0000

Sign our petition

Foward this letter

Check out these links to learn more

“Abstaining from Reality”

healthrights — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:46:22 +0000

This is a clip from a documentary about abstinence only education in Uganda.

To learn more about the situation in Uganda, check out these links:
Human Rights Watch report
Guttmacher Report on Public Policy

Comparing the US to France, Germany and the Netherlands

healthrights — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:44:42 +0000

There have been some studies going on comparing the US to France, Germany and the Netherlands, whose sexual health outcomes are much more positive. There are dramatically fewer cases of teenage pregnancy, HIV and other STD infection.

What are these countries doing differently? People (including teens) have access to contraception, consistent sexuality education, and widespread public education campaigns.
What are these countries doing differently?
Research is the basis for public policies to reduce unintended pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Political and religious interest groups have little influence on public health policy. There is unimpeded access to contraception, including condoms, consistent sexuality education, and widespread public education campaigns. Youth have convenient access to free or low-cost contraception through national health insurance. Sexuality education is not necessarily a separate curriculum and may be integrated across school subjects and at all grade levels.
We got this information from the Advocates For Youth website.

To check out this entire report, go here

What’s happening in Croatia?

healthrights — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:43:31 +0000

In Croatia they are using sex ed programs that are similar to our abstinence only programs.
They focus on abstinence, are opposed to use of condoms and other contraception, disparage any relationship not in line with traditional family, claim homosexuality is a form of deviant behaviour, and promote gender stereotyping.
Croatia is currently trying to become a member of the European Union.
The leaders in the EU made it clear that they don’t approve of their approach to sex ed.
In their charter it is clear that members agree to protect the social and economic rights of their citizens. This includes young people and providing them with accurate and comprehensive sex ed.
According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, if the EU doesn’t accept Croatia, this will be the first time an international human rights body reinforced the principle that failing to provide comprehensive, scientific-based, non-discriminatory sexual education violates young people’s fundamental human rights.
Research shows that sexually transmitted infections are increasing at startling rates among Croatian youth.

To learn more, go here

What’s happening in the US?

healthrights — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:42:40 +0000

Here are some US statistics…

A recent pole showed that over 90 percent of parents in the US agreed that schools should be obligated to provide comprehensive sex education. (1)
Yet approximately half of our states are primarily teaching abstinence only. (2)

Currently 66% of schools in Illinois are not providing students with a comprehensive approach to sex education. (3)

There are 18.9 million new cases of STDs each year, and Although 15-24-year-olds represent only one-quarter of the sexually active population, they account for nearly half of these new STDs

A heterosexual, sexually active teenage female who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year. (4)

1. Sex Education in America: General Public/Parents Survey. (Washington, DC: National Public Radio, Kaiser Family Foundation, Kennedy School of Government, 2004), 5.
2. Teen Pregnancy, state by state comparison
3. Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health
4. Guttmacher Institute,

condom fashion show

healthrights — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:40:13 +0000

Models parade in outfits made of condoms during a fashion show at the 4th China Reproductive Health New Technologies and Products Expo in Beijing, July 11, 2007.