May28
International Day of Action for Women’s Health Campaign re-launch
For nearly 30 years women’s rights advocates have been mobilizing on May 28 to speak out on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues faced by women and girls all over the world. Yet, the everyday realities of women and girls in countries worldwide make it all too clear that there has been insufficient progress in fulfilling our sexual and reproductive rights. All too often women and girls’ SRHR are
understood within a limited and narrow understanding of “maternal health,” neglecting our human right to freely and fully decide upon all aspects of our body, our sexuality and our lives.
With the re-launch of the May 28 campaign we are calling on governments, UN bodies, and the international community to ensure a holistic, inclusive, and human rights-based approach to women and girls’ SRHR in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
MAY 28 AT THE GLOBAL LEVEL:
Over 30 partners from across the world came together in support of the May 28 re-launch
WGNRR launched a new website www.may28.org
to serve as an information hub for campaign materials (May 28 toolkit, posters, stickers, logos) as well as a collaborative platform from which partners and allies highlighted key SRHR challenges, concerns and priorities
8393 page views 4358 sessions 1130 downloads 36 of blog posts
WGNRR in collaboration with SkeptiSketch and animation artist Lindsey Krassin created an inspiring animated video
2881 views
WGNRR launched a massive May 28 shout out through Thunderclap
Social reach: 130 303
Campaign partners, participants and allies worldwide ran a 24hour May 28 Tweet-a-thon across continents and time zones.
385,000 people reached
In collaboration with May 28 partners, WGNRR launched a comprehensive Call for Action which received
150 organizational endorsements 72 individual signatures The Call for Action was converted into a letter and was sent together with the endorsements to
Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, UNFPA Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director, UN Women H.E. Mr. Csaba Korรถsi, Co-Chair, Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals H.E. Mr. Macharia Kamau, Co-Chair, Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
MAY 28 AT THE GROUND LEVEL:
30+ events in 30 countries Australia, Argentina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sierra Leone, Spain, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United States of America
Community gatherings, vigils, press-conferences, digital mobilisations, public debates, dramatic readings, youth workshops and so much more!
HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS! In Romania the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) launched SEXUL vs. BARZA (Sex vs. Stork), an online sexuality education video platform and held a real life sexuality education class for high school students. “Interesting and pleasant experience” “This sort of session something very normal that all schools in Romania should adopt”
In Sierra Leone, Ipas invited 150 women living in the rural area of Freetown to a dinner to candidly discuss women’s health issues in a safe space.. ….rape….teenage pregnancy...abortion… menopause and sex… Pledge: provide support to an abortion law review in Sierra Leone
In Nicaragua, Collectivo Feminista Panteras Rojas informed commuters at a transit point near the Central American University in Managua about May 28 and the importance of women-centric services.
400 people reached Realizing change one chat at a time
In the Philippines, WGNRR in collaboration with Upstart Productions staged a dramatic reading of the thought-provoking “Baby Dance� by Jan Anderson, a play exploring complex issues surrounding surrogacy, inequality, and reproductive choices and rights.
Class Status
Baby Money
In France, Médecins du Monde continued to promote its International campaign for women’s right to decide and for universal access to contraception and abortion.
NAMES NOT NUMBERS Médecins du Monde urges States to guarantee improved access to contraception as well as safe and legal abortion in order to respect and ensure women’s right to decide the course of their own lives.
In the county of Mombasa, Kenya, Pwani Gender Based Violence Network celebrated May 28 by mobilizing 280 people from the community and disseminating information on policies and laws that protect women’s basic rights of deciding what to do with their own bodies.
Sexual Offences Act Children’s Act Domestic Violence Bill
More in Kenya Dandelion Kenya in partnership with Family Health Options Kenya invited 47 young people for a dialogue centered around women and girls’ health needs, sexual and reproductive rights, and the role men can play in order to support the realization of SRHR.
Question: What should governments focus on in terms of women’s health in the post-2015 development agenda? Adequate Resource Allocation for SRHR Develop Women’s health friendly policies Bring an end to obstetric violence Address the needs of differently abled women
More in Kenya Fortress of Hope Africa organized a community dialogue in rural Kilifi CountyChonyi District, aimed at initiating a dialogue on women’s health and rights among women and community leaders
44 people
First ever community discussion on women’s health First shy, then impassioned
In Brasil, Movimento de Mulheres de Salvador held a Feminist Vigil to end Maternal Mortality
250 participants Taking a stand against maternal mortality and obstetric violence.
In Georgia the Reproductive Youth Group of Union Women Center organized a meeting with university students, teenagers and youth communities on reproductive health matters.
Youth access to contraceptives SRH information youth-friendly health services safe abortion
In Tanzania, the Women’s Promotion Centre together with the Western Zone based partners in the TSAA Project held a public event that raised the concerns of women and illustrated the challenges they face when seeking SRHR services and information
112 adults and youth 50 children domestic violence, misinformation, poverty, stigma against youth, stigma against women living with a disability, corruption, unfriendly services
In Chile, ICW Chile set up a table on the 2nd of June to celebrate both the International Day of Action for Women’s Health and the International Day of the Sex Worker, and taught men and women about how to use the female condom, and its many associated benefits, among them its role in HIV prevention.
200 newly educated citizens 100 signatures to the Ministry of Health
In Uganda, Empowered at Dusk Women’s Association (EDWA) held a community debate on the failure of states to recognize sexual and reproductive rights.
In and out of school youth Women leaders Local leaders and politicians Representatives from churches and mosques
In Colombia La Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres was delivering material of the Campaign Se Aborta por una raz贸n, No por falta de raz贸n, as well as sexual health information at National University.
Abortions happen for a reason, not for the lack of reason.
In Peru, CLACAI and La Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres launched DIGNA campaign advocating the right for women to interrupt pregnancy resulting from rape. The campaign was promoted as part of the May 28 Campaign on behalf of the International Campaign of Women’s Right to Safe Abortion.
SPECIAL FEATURE A series of photo portraits specially created for May 28 by the Federation for Women and Family Planning in Poland
As a woman I am able to get pregnant, carry it under my heart and give birth but this is my body and I have the right to decide when it happens.
In the gynaecologist’s office I want to be treated, not humiliated
If men could get pregnant contraception would be subsidized
Declaration of Sexual Rights point 10: the right to comprehensive sexuality education
I have the right to childbirth in dignified conditions
Everyone has the right to live free from discrimination and violence regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity
Young people have the right to reliable information about their sexuality and health
If we decide to have an abortion we have the right to a safe and legal procedure
I have the right to a free home birth
Prochoice or no choice
WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE RE-LAUNCH OF MAY 28! Together we stand stronger! Together we are louder! Together we will make our voices heard!