Dispatches - June
Danish Parliamentary Network hosts Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health
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COPENHAGEN – Scaling up efforts to ensure universal access to reproductive health is necessary if we are to reach any of the Millennium Development Goals, said Ms. Kirsten Brosbøl, chairman of the Danish Parliamentary Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, at a Danish parliamentary conference recently.
The conference, entitled “How universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is a necessity in order to fulfil the Millennium Development Goals”, was opened by the Danish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Ms. Ulla Tørnæs. In her speech, Ms. Tørnæs reaffirmed Denmark’s strong support for the new target of universal access to reproductive health under MDG 5: Reducing maternal mortality.
Other prominent speakers included Ms. Gill Greer, Secretary-general of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Mr. Stan Bernstein, UNFPA Senior Policy Advisor and Ms. Indu Capoor, founder of CHETNA (Centre for Health, Education, Training, and Nutrition Awareness), an Indian NGO working to enhance young people and women's health.
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All speakers reiterated the key role of parliamentarians and NGOs in reminding their government of their international commitments and in holding them responsible for their implementation. The audience consisted of members of the Danish parliament, youth politicians, Danish NGOs, journalists and UN agencies. The conference ended with a debate on how MPs and other partners can help promote sexual and reproductive health on all levels.
The conference was the second event hosted by the newly established Parliamentary Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and was co-organized by the Danish Family Planning Association ‘Sex og Samfund’.
At the conference, ‘Sex and Samfund’ launched a set of new fact sheets aimed at Members of Parliament. The fact sheets explain why none of the MDGs can be achieved without ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health. They also show how MPs can help ensure access to sexual and reproductive health for all in order to reach the MDGs. UNFPA’s Nordic Office has been actively involved in the in the production of the fact sheets.
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