Safe Sex and Trade Sex: SRHR Services in the Sex Industry

By Janina Santos, @JaninaSantos54

Prostitution, often called the oldest of professions, is still rampant today. Women and young girls who enter or forced into the sex industry are in more danger of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and sexual abuse because of their status as entrepreneurs of the flesh. Often, sex workers face negative judgment not just from society but also from themselves, a situation which exacerbates the already dire need for sexual and reproductive health and rights services. “Sex workers [suffer] stigma and self-stigma,” said Phạm Hoài Thanh of Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), one of the speakers in the 7th Asia Pacific Conference for Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights. She was a panelist in one of the parallel sessions, Improving SRHR Information and Services for People in Sex Work.

Prioritizing maternal and neonatal care: A report on MNCHN programs and services

By Matthew Arcilla, @ArcillaMatthew

The third day of the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health (APCRSHR) saw discussions on good practices for different RH elements. One track focused on Maternal, Neonatal Child Health & Nutrition (MNCHN) programs and services. Various speakers explored the quality and access to services for mothers and children, and how they fit into the bigger picture of health care provided by government and private institutions.

Making progress and meeting SRHR targets in Asia and the Pacific

By Matthew Arcilla, @arcillamatthew

At the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights last week, several speakers gave updates on various developments in the issue of SRHR services, contextualizing them against the targets established by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The plenary session was divided into regional panels.

I can’t possibly have AIDS: The STI/HIV challenges of vulnerable populations

By Janina Santos, @JaninaSantos54

During the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, one of the parallel sessions focused on STI/HIV and AIDS. Titled “From Laboratory to Community: Positive Engagement of Key Affected Populations Toward Getting to Zero,” the parallel session featured four presenters from different countries: Chingsubam Bangkim, Senior Consultant, Drug Use and HIV/AIDS of Social Awareness Service Organisation (India); Junice Ng, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (Singapore); Wah Wah Aung, Department of Medical Research (Myanmar); and Nisha Jagdish Poojary, Director for HIV FPA India (India).

The youth delegates at #7APCRSHR challenge you! A call for action to achieve SRHR for all

By Lyka T. Manglal-lan, Reporter, @likeslaya

Ten (10) parallel sessions gathered at the 7th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (7APCRSHR) Youth Fair to discuss the 2014 Manila Challenge. The Youth Fair aimed to discuss views from different countries in order to come up with a declaration of unity for the advancement of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for all. According to Brayant Gonzales of the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, the Manila Challenge is the final outcome document of the 7APCRSHR. It is the collaborative output of the delegates who strongly believe in an urgent call for SRHR for all.

Photo by Smrthi Thapa

Participants Speak at #7APCRSHR – Conference Learnings (Adults)

what did the adults learn from the conference?

Share your learnings with us! Email photos and anecdotes to contributions.APCRSHR7@gmail.com!

Facebook: facebook.com/7thAPCRSHR
Twitter: @7thAPCRSHR
Blog: https://7thapcrshr.wordpress.com/
Hashtag: #7APCRSHR

#7APCRSHR Day 1: Youth Conference Plenary Sessions Part 1: Education

Speakers:
CSO/Development Partner: Justine Sass, UNESCO, Bangkok
Youth: Jecel Tandoc Censoro, Checkmyschool, Philippines

Facebook: facebook.com/7thAPCRSHR
Twitter: @7thAPCRSHR
Blog: https://7thapcrshr.wordpress.com/
Hashtag: #7APCRSHR

Let’s talk about sex: How to make SRHR service youth-friendly

By Likes Manglal-lan, @likeslaya

You go to a local health center to seek counsel. You are pregnant and need to learn about prenatal care. But instead you are served blame and prejudice for having that baby. Health care providers call you promiscuous and careless.

Why?

Because you are 16.

Video Booth at #7APCRSHR – Ko Ko Nyein from Myanmar

Do you even need to know about sexual health? Why? Or why not?

What do people know about sexual health in your community? Share your stories with us! Email photos and anecdotes to contributions.APCRSHR7@gmail.com!

Facebook: facebook.com/7thAPCRSHR
Twitter: @7thAPCRSHR
Blog: https://7thapcrshr.wordpress.com/
Hashtag: #7APCRSHR

A Not-So-Serious Evening: Advocates and the Asia Pacific Night

By Lyka Manglal-lan (@lykeslaya) and Janina Santos (@JaninaSantos54)

Music, good food, dancing, and a showcase of cultures – these are the things the delegates of the 7^th Asia Pacific Conference for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights enjoyed in yesterday’s Asia Pacific Night. The attendees were served authentic Filipino food and entertained by the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, who performed various Filipino dances. The Tinikling was a crowd favorite. It was also a night of cultural pride, as delegates swapped their advocacy shirts for their colorful national costumes.