European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development

1. European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development Where will Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights be anchored after 2014? - A European perspective Anne Van Lancker October 2010

2. Presentation overview Introduction SRHR & the international community Results of survey: Has the ICPD PoA helped advance the cause of SRHR? What impact will the conclusion of the ICPD PoA have? Would a new ICPD PoA after 2014 be desirable? Could the EU support a new global consensus on SRHR that is as strong as the ICPD PoA? Key findings & conclusions European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development

3. SRHR & the international community 1 UN • UN CPD 2009 Resolution • UN Human Rights Council 2009 Resolution • World Health Assembly Resolution on health MDG achievements • MDG Report 2010 “Keeping the Promise” • UN MDG Summit Outcome Document 2010 • UN SG Global Strategy on Women and Child Health World Bank • World Bank RHAP 2010-2015

4. SRHR & the international community 2 G8 • Muskoka Initiative: reference to SRH, including FP, but • Consensus for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health: comprehensive FP advice, services and supplies and safe abortion where legal • Parliamentary Appeal: similar language Global Fund? European Union • Commission’s 12 Point Action Plan • Parliament – growing opposition but still majority for SRHR

5. Survey – Question 1 Has the ICPD PoA helped advance the cause of SRHR? YES! • Historical importance for SRHR • Powerful advocacy tool • Influence on domestic policies • Strengthened financial support for SRHR • Has put family planning & SRHR on the agenda BUT! • Has the reality matched the theory? • The influence of the opposition and competing priorities

6. Survey – Question 2 What influence will the conclusion of the ICPD PoA have? • Comparison of ICPD PoA with MDG model: more political momentum but not holistic, gender, rights-based approach? • Risk for sensitive issues to drop from development agenda: safe abortion, sex education, young people • Realization ICPD PoA far from complete • Risk of losing support for family planning and SRHR in face of growing opposition

7. Survey – Question 3 Would a new ICPD PoA after 2014 be desirable? • ½ respondentswant MDG+ programme = merged ICPD PoA, Beijing PfA & MDG • MDG agenda politically stronger than ICPD PoA, • but reinforce gender, rights-based, SRHR, FP • Other ½ of respondents feel UN should reconfirm ICPD PoA • But some warnings: • Full review of ICPD PoA runs risk of diluting content, owing to current strength of opposition • ICPD PoAshouldbeupdated to include new areas, likeclimate change, migration & security

8. Survey – Question 4 Could the EU support a new global consensus on SRHR that is as strong as the ICPD PoA? • 2 great challenges at present: • Political opposition • Global economic downturn • 2 opportunities within EU: • Making silent countries speak! • Winning over opposition: CSO, public opinion • Importance of NGOs’ role • Forging alliances with USA & developing world • Potential of UN Women

9. Key findings Overall feelings shared by respondents: • An (informal) event should take place in 2014, possibly preceded by regional events • No appetite for a new ICPD conference in 2014 • Much progress has been made in including SRHR in other processes (most notably within the framework for MDGs 5A & 5B) • SRHR should be placed firmly within the MDG framework’s successor

10. Outlook What is going to happen? • SRHR political framework is likely to be dispersed across many sectors and settings • Need to make progress on certain issues (such as unsafe abortion, youth SRHR & sexuality education) & identify where we can advance • Hunger exists for framework to discuss future of SRHR & make progress, but what kind of framework should it be? • Negotiations for MDG+ framework will be crucial. Good preparation will be essential