The following are from the enormous news archive of CEPIA’s activities, which summarise their activities and have also been translated into English by CEPIA. The five below are focused on some of CEPIA’s SRHR activities:
LAUNCH: Course on Practical Tools for Life Education and Healthy Relationships
The opening class of the Practical Tools for Life Education and Healthy Relationships Course took place on February 25th at the Municipal Education Council. The meeting, which brought together around 50 education professionals, marked the beginning of the course, which will be developed throughout February to April through a series of video lessons, synchronous sessions, and in-person meetings based on manuals produced by CEPIA for activities with adolescents and youth. The course is another result of the partnership between CEPIA and the Municipal Department of Education through the Health in School Program.
CEPIA promotes discussion on human rights and reproductive health
On the 29th of January, CEPIA brought together a group of people committed to the realisation of human rights and reproductive health for a discussion. The aim of the meeting was to collectively map out the main challenges and opportunities for ensuring already guaranteed rights, preventing setbacks and building strategies aimed at expanding and strengthening these rights.
Preclusion Project discusses impacts of US international policies on reproductive rights
This project brings together representatives from different countries in the Global South and monitors issues related to women’s rights, gender equality and reproductive rights. One of the objectives of this project is to monitor the progress of the Geneva Consensus, an alliance of countries with conservative governments that aims to act against reproductive rights and abortion within the United Nations and the UN Human Rights Council. On 26th January, this group met virtually to analyse recent measures taken by the US government in relation to its international policy. Jacqueline Pitanguy participated in this meeting, which discussed the prohibition of US support for governments or civil society organisations that deal with issues such as abortion, gender equality, or other human rights issues such as race and LGBTQ+ rights, among others.
Protecting sexual and reproductive rights and health (SRHR) in UN80
During the months of January and February, through collective action by the Global South Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Development Justice, CEPIA, which is part of this Coalition, was engaged in activities aimed at raising awareness of the importance of ensuring the centrality of SRHR in the United Nations reform process (UN80). The activities included a petition to collect signatures for a letter sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the development of a set of proposals for UN80, such as guaranteeing specific and proportionate funding for sexual and reproductive rights and health and incorporating SRHR into justice for development and the right to development.
Case ruled by the TJMG reignites debate on rape of vulnerable persons and protection of girls
The Court of Justice of Minas Gerais, citing the emotional bond between a 35-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl, acquitted this man of the crime of rape. On February 23rd Jacquelne Pitanguy spoke with Mara Régia on the Viva Maria program about this case, emphasizing that it is a case of rape of a vulnerable person and that the Court’s position violates not only the law but also jurisprudence, placing itself above the national legal and judicial framework and international treaties signed by Brazil. Jacqueline stated that the use of the argument that the girl had consented reflects the court’s sexist and patriarchal values in analyzing the sexual behavior of girls and women, and she questions how it is possible to presume consent when a 12-year-old girl cannot vote, cannot drive a car, cannot travel alone, and cannot even watch certain movies and shows. See CEPIA’s publication about the case.
Apologies that I have been unable to copy and therefore share any of the fantastic visuals on the CEPIA website. Editor