APA Report 2015-2016 APA Report 2015-2016 | Page 12

The Regional Voice for SRHR Accountability GLOBAL ADVOCACY At the UN Summit in September 2015, the ambitious Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development was adopted by Member States, with 17 new Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets. Sexual and reproductive health was embedded in two targets, 3.7 and 5.6; with reproductive rights also included in the latter. One goal is devoted to gender equality and empowerment. While ‘sexual rights’ are not directly included, aspects can be linked with other targets, such as: Target 4.7 (on education for human rights and gender equality) could encompass comprehensive sexuality education; Target 10.3 (on reduction of inequalities, including through law and policy reform) could be used to advance the rights of sex workers and LGBTI persons and others; and Target 16.1 (on reduction of violence and related deaths) could include the reduction of sexual and gender-based violence, including violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. APA was part of a campaign with the Global SRHR Platform for Post2015 to ensure the inclusion of SRHR and other key concerns, such as young people and the human rights of women and girls in Agenda 2030. APA advocated at global intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda at the UN in New York on: Sustainable Development Goals and Targets Means of Implementation and Global Partnership for Sustainable Development “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” outcome document 4th Global Women Deliver Conference APA was chosen to organize the South East Asia and the Pacific Caucus at Women Deliver 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and supported by Path. The caucus, which took place on 19 May, aimed to ensure accountability for Agenda 2030 commitments related to sexual rights of women and young people. Over 75 participants, including international non-governmental organizations, community based organizations, and parliamentarians, strategized and discussed three main topics: sexual rights and young people; sexual orientation and gender identity and expression; access to safe abortion services. And at the “Politics of Sexual Rights in the Context of Development” concurrent session organized and moderated by member Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, APA shared how the Agenda 2030 follow-up and review processes can deliver results for marginalized communities and advance sexual rights in Asia Pacific. Other speakers in the session were Kate Gilmore, Deputy High Commission for Human Rights, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Anna Szczegielniak, Member of the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights. 10