Archiv für Sexualwissenschaft
Africa / Afrika
Organization
African Federation for Sexual Health and
Rights (AFSHR)
AFSHR :
African Federation for Sexual Health and
Rights
The Federation was founded in June 2002 at a meeting in Pretoria organized to
discuss sexuality in Africa that was attended by delegates from the region, WHO
Geneva, UNFPA Africa Desk, WHO Afro and the World Association for Sexology.
Today, the Federation has received expression of interest for membership from
over 40 Civil Society Organizations from across Africa and beyond. The
Federation though still evolving, has a steering committee with sub-regional
representation.
Key Achievements of the
Federation The Federation has to date accomplished the
following: a. The convening of the first Sexual
Health and Rights conference in Africa held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in
February 2004. The conference was attended by over 300 delegates from across the
continent, representing varied organizations and associations working in the
field of sexual and reproductive health and rights. b. The
Federation participated in the review and launch of the Africa Union Plan of
Action on the Family in Africa, held in Cotonou, Benin; c.
Contributed inputs to the Africa Union Protocol for Reduction of
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Africa; d. Actively
networks and collaborates with various civil society organizations and
partnerships e.g. Amanitare, PPFA-I; e. Actively highlights
the need to address Sexuality, Sexual Health and Sexual Rights in Africa
pursuant to the WHO consultation on Sexual Health in January 2002.
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We wish to bring to your attention some key issues on Sexual Health
and Rights as identified by the Federation: i. The
need to recognize the life cycle approach that recognizes all people as sexual
beings from birth to death and the changing needs across the
lifespan; ii. The importance of recognizing the multifaceted
factors that influence sexual health and rights: social, economic, cultural and
spiritual factors; iii. The need to break the culture of
silence around sexuality in families, communities and society in general;
It is in this regard that the Federation views with grave concern and threat
to the continent the paucity of our collective approach to sexuality, sexual
health and rights, especially as we review the status of the continent on
HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies (especially teenage pregnancies), unsafe
abortion, gender based violence and harmful traditional practices.
Recognizing these factors and considering initiatives already undertaken by
many civil society organizations, the Federation would wish to collaborate with
the Africa Union Commission to further bring Sexual Health and Rights to the
forefront in Africa, including capacity building and gender mainstreaming.
We in the Federation therefore propose the following
actions: i. To work with the Africa Union
Commission and Sexual and Reproductive Health partners to promote Sexual Health
and Rights for the continent, through the provision of technical assistance
and/or acting as an advisory body to the AU on Sexual Health and
Rights; ii. To provide and facilitate links between the AU
and Civil Society Organizations to ensure that governments implement AU
Charters, Declarations, Guidelines on Sexual Health and Rights that they have
committed themselves to; iii. Disseminate AU Declarations,
Charters and guidelines to Civil Society Organizations to enhance their role in
mobilizing governments’ implementation; iv. Seek the
collaboration of the Africa Union in organizing the 2006 Sexual Health and
Rights conference in Africa, with a proposed theme: “Sexuality, Economics and
Development in Africa”.
info@actionhealthinc.org
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