Through its Public Policy Department, Advocates for Youth works to educate Members of Congress, state legislators, and local policy makers on a variety of domestic and international issues that impact the sexual and reproductive health of young people.  Globally, Advocates for Youth also works with colleague organizations and policy makers to ensure that youth are included in decision making processes that affect their health and rights. Advocates’ policy strategy is one of collaboration and partnership with international, national, state, and local organizations. At the state and local levels, Advocates launched a three-year Cultural Advocacy and Mobilization Initiative to assist state partners in advocating for and implement science-based comprehensive sex education.

Advocates believes that the time has come for a new approach to adolescent sexual and reproductive health that includes dismantling failed abstinence-only programs, implementing comprehensive sex education programs, addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on youth, providing confidential access to affordable birth control and removing the unnecessary age restriction on emergency contraception. Advocates also supports federal legislation that addresses discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  In addition, Advocates supports fully funding international family planning and removing the requirement that international organizations which receive U.S. HIV prevention funding meet abstinence-until-marriage reporting requirements. See a full list and descriptions of Advocates’  policy priorities.

Advocates partners with young people to work toward these policy goals through the Youth Activist Network (YAN), which consists of young people from across the United States and around the globe.

• Learn more about the Youth Activist Network, or visit Amplify, the online home of the Youth Activist Network
• Learn more about Advocates’ Youth Activism projects
  • Campus Organizers
  • International Youth Leadership Council
  • International Youth Speak Out
  • State Activists
  • Young Women of Color Leadership Council

Contact

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Executive Vice President for Public Affairs

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Public Policy

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Senior Manager, Domestic Policy

P: 202.419.3420
F: 202.419.1448
Advocates for Youth
2000 M Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20036 USA