on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and Climate Change/ Environmental Sustainability July 19-August 3, 2010

Also available in [PDF] format.

IntroductIon

From July 19 to August 3, 2010 Advocates for Youth held an e-consultation for youth activists around the world working in the fields of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and climate change/environmental sustainability to gather their input regarding the intersections between the movements. The goal of the consultation was to gather information from young people working in these fields about how the two movements connect, ongoing efforts to advance either/both movements, and recommendations for possible collective movement building via an internet- based advocacy campaign.

The e-consultation was conducted in English and consisted of three surveys with 8-10 open-ended questions distributed over the course of two weeks. The first part of the consultation focused on identifying participants’ level of understanding, awareness and interest in the issues and their connections. The second set of questions asked participants about their willingness to get involved in these movements and what programs or campaigns are currently being implemented by their organizations or others to connect them. The last set of questions asked participants about whether they believed young people in their country were informed about these issues, their recommendations on how to mobilize youth to take action, and their ideas for how to design an online campaign that targets young people.

This report summarizes the findings that emerged from the e-consultation. Advocates would like to thank all of the young people who took the time to participate and share their valuable input and contributions during the consultation. Based on the results, Advocates will be reaching out to respondents, other youth activists, organizations, and youth networks to begin to conceptualize and develop an advocacy campaign. Advocates will also develop and test a number of advocacy messages using new media that will inform the development of this advocacy campaign.

Background InformatIon aBout partIcIpants

The e-consultation primarily targeted young peo- ple involved in either SRHR or climate change/ environmental sustainability work. Participants were recruited by distributing a call for participation to Advocates’ International Youth Activist Network, colleague organizations, youth networks, and listervs. These efforts to reach out to young people generated a widely positive response with approximately 60 young people expressing interest in participating.

At the launch of the e-consultation, there were 36 participants between the ages of 19-33 from 18 different countries who participated. The response rate declined somewhat for each of the follow-up surveys, with a total of 17 people responding to the last set of questions. Participants included leaders who are actively raising awareness about SRHR and climate change in their communities, educating their peers and advocating for these issues. A majority of them (34/36) work in the SRHR field but a substantial number (22/36) are also involved in climate change/ environmental activities such as conservation, clean ups, waste management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Among those who are not actively working with these issues, most (8/13) said that they are involved indirectly although it is not considered a key objective of their work or that they would like to become more involved.

In response to the question about which movement they identified most with, respondents more frequently mentioned the SRHR movement (11/35) than the environmental movement (8/35), but a majority of them noted the youth movement in general, other (6/35) or both (1/35).

E-consultatIon rEsults

Part 1
1. In what way do you think sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and climate change/environmental sustainability are related to each other?

Most young people that responded to this ques- tion seemed to have thought about the links between SRHR and climate change. Participants agreed that climate change and SRHR are related to each other in many important ways, particularly making the connection through the effects of population and consumption on environmental sustainability. Some admitted that they were uncertain of the link although they agreed that both are important issues or that they wanted to learn more about them.

Climate change will prevent access to SRHR services

Participants frequently mentioned that climate change poses a threat to the environment and people’s health, which will impact reproductive health directly and indirectly. As one respondent said, “Both climate change and SRHR affect the decisions people make daily and ultimately the type of life we live and the importance of finding ways to deal with these challenging issues before they get too serious.”

Respondents mentioned that climate change may prevent people from accessing SRHR services due to natural disasters, migration, urban population growth, and pollution. The consequences of crisis situations cause SRHR to be increasingly neglected as needs for food and clean water be- come more urgent. Therefore, SRHR needs are important to consider in relief efforts. This statement by one respondent exemplifies the connec- tion: “They are related because without sustainable and stable environment, issues of health and rights cannot reach an optimal level.”

Respondents also highlighted that climate change impacts people’s livelihoods and poverty prevents people from accessing SRHR services. One respondent noted, “Poverty is a major driver of the HIV epdemic....Without a sound environment, food security becomes threatened, and livelihoods to support medication use and adherence to strict diets cannot be sustained.” Another respondent said, “The effects of climate change affect the economy that influence attitude to SRHR issues in the community.”

SRHR impacts vulnerability to climate change

Respondents emphasized that a healthy population is a requirement for development, so reproductive health must be supported in order to ensure sustainability. Poorly met SRHR needs limits the adaptive capacity of populations to climate change. One respondent stated that, “When people enjoy satisfactory SRHR they can actively contribute to environmental sustainability.”

Population and consumption patterns

Many respondents made the connection through the impact of population on the environment and consumption of natural resources while harmful industrial practices among high-income countries were not noted in this context. They acknowledged that growing populations add more pressure on the world’s resources and decreases access to SRHR information and services. Participants also noted that population growth increases vulnerability to consequences of climate change through water and food scarcity, environmental degradation, and human displacement.

The lack of family planning was pointed out as a contributing factor to population growth and that meeting the unmet need would have a positive impact on the environment and sustainability by reducing consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Respondents agreed that if people are
able to decide if and when to have children, there will be less human impact on the environment and less burden in relation to climate change.

One respondent stated, “Providing access to contraceptives and reproductive health is not only a way to help women adapt to climate change (fewer children and healthier bodies allows women to be able to deal with these changes more eas- ily) but also a way to mitigate it (fewer children means fewer resources used, etc.).”

Respondents also acknowledged the role of gender in the link between climate change and SRHR. They mentioned that the negative consequences of gender inequity are greater for women, especially those with large families. “When women don't have choices about their own family size, their familial and environmental resources are inevitable strained...,” stated one respondent. Others noted that poor women are the ones most affected by food and water insecurity and when they are further driven into poverty the chances of them accessing SRHR services is even lower.

Equity and human rights

The fact that young people are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and that they are in need of more information and services was highlighted by many. One participant expressed fear that climate change draws attention and funds away from the field of SRHR and worsens the situation for young people. Another respondent mentioned the inequalities between the developed and developing nations in regards to consumption, poverty, and environmental impact as an important factor to address.

Human rights were discussed in the sense that all people should have the right to live peaceful and healthy lives and to be able to choose the num- ber and spacing of children. Neglecting climate change and SRHR needs poses a threat to these rights. A number of respondents emphasized the need for more programs that address human rights and health and that relieve stress on natural resources simultaneously.

2. How important do you think SRHR are when it comes to taking action to mitigate climate change and promote environmen- tal sustainability? Why?

Most young people responded that they found SRHR to be important to consider in relation to both climate change mitigation and adaption strategies. Respondents mentioned that SRHR is important for the sustainability of future generations, to achieve sustainable production and consumption, and to slow population growth in order to reduce poverty and unemployment and detrimental agricultural practices. Moreover, a healthy population will be more successful in adapting/mitigating climate change and climate protection. However, as noted by one participant, “An unhealthy environment leads to deteriorating health status in the population,” illustrates that the relationship can go both ways.

One respondent offered the view that, “It is impor- tant to consider population but equally important to address issues of consumption.” Another suggestion was that it is “more appropriate to talk about SRHR in relation to adaptation rather than mitigation.” Several respondents indicated that they were uncertain, by saying, “I have to research the link”; “about to find out”; or admitting; “they are related but not very important.”

3. In what ways do you think climate change affects young people specifically?

In response to the question of how young people are particularly affected by climate change, much concern was expressed about the crisis that climate change will potentially bring about and the impacts it will have on young people. The responsibility that young people have in changing their future world was also highlighted by respondents.

Security

The respondents frequently mentioned that climate change threatens their education, well-being, environment, security, population and food security. Livelihoods and employment were also mentioned as being threatened as a consequence of loss of income and rising living costs. Young people's economic vulnerability will become worse by climate change as it will ultimately affect the social, economic, and political atmosphere.

They also expressed concern about natural resource allocation for the next generation, displacement, and that the limited access to SRHR services for young people will become worse with climate change.

Future prospects

Respondents described the vulnerability of young people as being the reason for their greater investment in climate change mitigation. One person feared that in the future, “funds that should be allocated to development will be spent on dealing with the consequences of climate change.” Other opinions voiced included, “The climate change propaganda has created in youths an anxiety of a future misery and early death. This limits their plans for the future."; "Young people will spend the next 40 years of their lives de-carbonizing the environment." The importance of youth participation in making change is illustrated by the statement, "Young people are going to be the ones that see the impacts of climate change in the next 10,20, or 50 years from now. Giving them a voice to make choices that will positively impact the health of the planet will make a huge difference."

4. How do you think climate change affects young people’s SRHR?

Behavior

Respondents voiced their concern about how poverty induced by climate change can lead young people into risky sexual behavior and make them more vulnerable to infections that will affect their reproductive health.

Health & Rights

Concerns about consequences related to health included reproductive infections, hormonal imbalance, industrial pollution, and body development. Young people voiced concern about the lack of a bright future where their human rights are in- fringed, including SRHR.

Security

Issues related to security such as social, economic, and political instability and displacement were frequently mentioned. Economic challenges leading to political and social changes (including lim- iting access to health services even further) will affect individual decision making and make young people vulnerable to unsafe sexual decisions and disease.

As stated by a respondent, climate change will impact young people’s independence and the lack of access to resources will make young people less empowered. One respondent said, "It will be a significant influence in determining whether or not to have a family and if we want to bring people into the world."

Again, some respondents admitted that they, “have not thought too much about this” or are “about to find out.”

Part 2

1. In what way, if any, does your organization work to integrate SRHR and climate change/environmental justice?

Thirty five percent of the respondents (7/20) said that their organization does not integrate the two fields in their work.

Those who said yes gave examples of ways they are working with awareness raising, peer outreach, education, media, advocacy, and fundraising. Specific activities mentioned were: promoting family planning and reproductive health and climate /environment friendly polices; using sports as a mobilization tool for community development; and combined community service cleanups and peer education programs like voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and behavior change communication (BCC).

2. Would you be interested in getting involved with these issues? If so, why?

Nearly all respondents (20/21) expressed great enthusiasm and interest in getting involved with the two issues. Of these, 5 stated that they were already involved in actions to bring the two movements together. Reasons for participants’ interests in getting involved in the movements included: beliefs that efforts to address both issues together rather than separately would be more successful; that it’s the responsibility of young people to convince leaders to take action; and that there is an imminent threat to this and future generations’ existence and development. One participant replied, “Yes, because these are the issues affecting me, my fellow young people and my environment physically, mentally, socially, economically, etc., so I cannot rest until I contrib- ute and get other young people and stakeholders involved to address them adequately.”

3. Do you know any other organizations or groups that are working on bringing the two movements together in or outside your country? Please give examples!

Slightly less than half (10/22) of the respondents said that they did not know of any efforts to bring the two movements together.

Respondents listed the following organizations as groups working on bringing the two movements together: the Sierra Club, the Izaak Walton league, the World Wildlife Fund, the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, the Nigeria Youth Climate Coalition, Action Canada for Population and De- velopment, Education as a Vaccine against AIDS, 350.org, Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change, Young Activists Initiative Nigeria, the United Nations Environment Program, the United Nations Population Fund, and Church Aid.

4. Are there any campaigns currently being implemented to do this? If so, please describe.

More than half of the respondents (14/22) said they did not know of any campaigns that are bringing the movements together. Some mentioned local efforts by their own or other civil society and church groups to disseminate information and train young people in rural and urban areas. Government campaigns to stop environmental pollution, deforestation, or help with disaster relief were also mentioned.

Some respondents listed specific organizational efforts by the United Nations Environment Program, the World Wildlife Fund, the Sierra Club, and the Izaak Walton League.

5. What policies concerning SRHR and climate change mitigation/adaption does your government have?

A majority of respondents (13/21) said they knew few or no policies that brought the two issues together. Two respondents mentioned the national adaptation plan of actions (NAPAs). Some said there may be separate policies but none for both issues jointly. Barriers to implementation were stated as challenges in cases where policies exist. International agreements such as the Kyoto protocol and the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, and national policies on adolescent sexual and reproductive health were also listed.

6. Does the government in your country consider these issues important?

A majority (15/21) responded that their governments think the issues are important.

7. If not, what do you think is needed to influence them to do so?

Those who did not agree with the majority on the previous question said that the lack of information both at the population and government level is the reason why so little is being done. Their suggestions on what is needed included improved advocacy urging governments to create policies that support SRHR and climate change and awareness in the general public to create a demand and pressure governments to take action. “Information. I think little is being done to bring both issues as one. There is no information readily accessible to campaign or implement a policy,” said one respondent.

8. What does the concept of family planning mean to you?

Most respondents agreed that family planning grants individuals the freedom to choose the number, timing, and spacing of their children. Many young people related family planning not only to the right of the individual but also to benefits for society in terms of population stabilization and poverty reduction. In most respondents’ opinion, family planning goes beyond the provision of contraception and includes SRHR information and services about STIs, sexual fulfillment, and empowerment. For example, one respondent referred to family planning as, “creating a comprehensive programme that not only targets females but males from an early age on safe sex practices and family functions.”

Other definitions of family planning articulated by respondents were as follows:

“Family planning to me is the way we manage and control our family in terms of reproductive, budgetary, and social status.”

“Family planning will create a healthy population who can attain a good standard of living.”

One participant discussed limitations of the term:

“I think that the term family planning is often used in ways that promote more traditional and limited discussions and services regarding sexual and reproductive health.

I also think it refers more to services and resources than rights and excludes important concepts and services around sexual health that are not limited to reproduction.”

Part 3

1. Are young people in your country informed about sexual and reproductive health and rights?

In response to this question, most respondents said that young people receive some or limited information about SRHR. A majority (13/17) responded that the SRHR information that young people in their country receive is inaccurate, not comprehensive, or failing to reach young people out of school or in rural areas. Sometimes the information is limited to a few and social resistance creates a barrier to facilitate a wider reach.

2. Where do they get information about issues related to SRHR?

The following channels for information were mentioned:

• Media(9/17)
• Youthorganizations(5/17)
• NGO’s(5/17)School(5/17)
• Healthfacilities(4/17)
• Informalsourcessuchaspeersandfamily(3/17)

3. Are young people in your country informed about climate change?

Similarly to question 1, most respondents (13/17) said that young people in their country have access to limited information about climate change. Some said that the issue was discussed in classrooms but seldom outside of that realm, or that the issue is discussed only in the context of hurricane and disaster risk reduction.

“Some are. I would say that people have an idea of what it is but perhaps not what needs to be done or how it works scientifically,” said one respondent.

4. Are young people in your country taking action in any way to fight climate change?

Responses to this question varied but most i dicate that although there are few national pro-rams young people are to an extent involved at the local or personal level in waste management and recycling projects or environmental conservation projects.

Some mentioned the lack of motivation of leaders as a reason for young people not being involved. Other said recent efforts have been initiated and that “...There is a growing and strengthening Youth movement and many organizations devoted to the issues.”

5. Are young people aware of the connections between environmental conditions, human health and behavior?

Most respondents seemed to believe few young people are informed about the connections and that awareness may be limited to those who are already involved in fighting the issues. A few said they are taught in schools but that the links are vague in general to people outside the academic environment.

One respondent said,”I would say they are aware of the populations issue and the affect this has on consumption of the world's resources.”

6. If you were advocating for both SRHR and climate change, how would you do it?

Respondents suggested forming coalitions with other groups and organizations to build a solid voice and to develop advocacy tools aimed at stakeholders and authorities to encourage them to develop action plans and policies that address the issues. One suggestion was to create a steering committee comprised of representatives of different groups representing youth, religion, women, government, NGO's, UN agencies and developmental partners as well as minorities. They highlighted the importance of building awareness in both rural and urban communities about the link through educational programs and to involve young people through participatory processes. Community projects, conferences and workshops targeting young people in rural communities to ensure primary and secondary participation was suggested. Specific activities mentioned were: rallies, drives, outreach, conferences, workshops, media campaigns, presentations at hotels, distribution of print materials, and the launch of TV/ radio shows. Participants also specified using the internet for global distribution of information and materials.

Using theater and performance was recommended by one young person

...Develop themed theater and drama productions that includes satire. I would also produce local docu-films that are fun for young people to watch and have the production done by them.

Some respondents believe that young people should be targeted in schools by integrating both SRHR and climate change into the education curriculum. Building health and environmental clubs in schools was suggested by one respondent, who said, “...These clubs will be sustainable in that young people will be given ownership of running them and owning them. Ownership brings a sense of responsibility.”

The following key activities were recommended:

Conduct survey or carefully compile research findings on issues related to SRHR and climate change and introduce evidence based interventions;

Prepare plans of action, mobilize resources, and develop business continuity plans to ensure the appropriate implementation of the intended advocacy;

Work with famous individuals and celebrities; and,

Continuously follow up, measure, and redesign advocacy strategies.

7. If you were trying to get others to take action on these issues what would you say?

Participants discussed how messages could focus on how human activities such as production, consumption, and individuals’ choices about reproduction affect climate change, the environment and our lives. They recommended inviting young people to network and to encourage local initiatives. Messages should highlight the fact that every person is responsible and can make a difference. Young people should be informed about how they are directly impacted and the severity of the consequences of inaction. Providing them with supportive evidence and presenting the costs in economic terms was a suggested tactic from one respondent for convincing more people to get involved.

Respondents shared some ideas for encouraging young people to take action;

“Come join me to protect our environment and our health. We spend no franc but gain billions of benefit.” "We only have one planet, and we should be responsible for our planet." "Health is right and green."

8. What ways do you think would work best to mobilize young people to take ac- tion?

Respondents agreed that youth should lead the movement and be involved from the very beginning of any course of action. As a first step, they suggested to increase awareness among young people and to use participatory and interactive approaches to get youth involved. Some specific activities included think projects for young people by young people, social networking, fundraising, edutainment and theatre, sports, arts or essay competitions. They also suggested getting higher level students to carry out awareness activities during semester breaks through forums, radio, tv, and other technology.

They recommend that these youth friendly activities should be relaxed, fun, and result- and change-oriented. They should not involve parents or classrooms, but rather have the following objectives:

• toinformandempoweryouth;
• to convince youth of the urgency and extent of the problem in a youth friendly and understandable manner;
• to encourage youth to take hold of their future;
• to show how these issues affect youth and others close to them;
• to build their capacity and assist youth to realize their potential;
• to convince youth that their contributions will have the greatest value in making changes; and,
• to create a sense of volunteerism, patriotism and passion.

Some said that these activities should be carried out in schools, community centers, church, youth groups and through peer education. The use of national media and grassroots campaigns and collaborations with local NGOs was also encouraged to inform youth. They also mentioned building partnerships and coalitions with like-minded organizations to develop advocacy tools.

9. How useful do you think a web-based campaign could be to engage youth?

A majority of respondents said that a web-based campaign would be useful to mobilize young people to engage youth. They mentioned the potentially wide reach and use of online communities such as Facebook, Twitter and My space as beneficial. However, at the same time many respondents expressed concern that such a campaign would leave out young people who lack internet access and stressed the need to find alternative ways to reach youth in poor and rural areas.

10. What recommendations would you have for such a campaign?

Several respondents seem to believe a campaign can be useful to encourage local action: "...At such (local) meetings, participants would then identify challenges posed by the issues of SRHR and climate change in their diverse locality. On collation of such report, strategic action plan for local impact and adaptation is mapped out with full implementation."

According to respondents, the campaign should encourage:

• governments and local communities to show visible commitment to these issues through policy change;
  
  
• adequate government funding and review of existing policies to include marginalized groups;
  
  
• coalition building among organizations;
  
  
• youth to be ambassadors and leaders in their communities;
  
  
• authorities to decentralize implementation by delegating it to sub-regional and local levels;
  
  
• local programs to address international issues; and
  
  
• the House of Representatives to increase political will in the United States.

• Incorporating local NGO's, UN agencies, media, and other developmental partners;
• Involving rural youth and women who are the victims of negative climate change and environmental injustice;
• Ensuringthatthecampaignallowsforcreative expression and utilizes catchy phrases;
• Using youth forums and advertisements;
• Finding a way to incorporate Facebook; and
• Establishing youth centers where youth can access the internet.

One respondent said, “Make it off the hook and fun. Include as much appealing imagery as possible and make it action oriented. -Let young people lead the campaign design and implementation - this cannot be done for them without them.” "Make it fun, bright, simple and modern," said another respondent. A third respondent noted, “I think such campaigns should fund organizations led by young people rather than fund governments who are really not committed to fulfilling their pledges.”

conclusIons

The results of the e-consultation showed that young people expressed much enthusiasm and interest in both the SRHR and climate change movements and the opportunity to get involved in both. However, a majority of them responded that they did not think young people in their country were well informed on these issues in general.

Youth that had experience with working with both issues spoke confidently of the connections between the movements and the importance of acknowledging them. Respondents with less knowledge mentioned that they thought that linking the two was important but were uncertain of how. Overall, the young people who participated in the e-consultation seemed to be informed about the links between SRHR and climate change/environment, particularly making the connection through the effects of population on environmental sustainability and the harms of climate change on access to sexual and reproductive health services. Although the focus of the consultation was on the connection between climate change and SRHR, it’s interesting to note that harmful industrial and agricultural practices prevalent in high-income countries such as burning of fossil fuel or intensive livestock operations, among others, were not raised much in the discussion. This gap possibly raises a need for increasing awareness of such lead contributors to climate change within a human rights-based dialogue around SRHR and climate change mitigation.

Although most participants said they identified with the SRHR movement, many of those who do not work with climate change or environmental issues currently said they would like to be more involved. Young people expressed concern about climate change as a threat to their security, livelihoods, and future generations including their sexual health and rights. Most respondents did not know of any current campaigns that address both issues; however, among those mentioned were civil society groups, the Population, Environment and Health programs at the Izaak Walton League, and the Sierra Club. A majority of respondents said that a web-based campaign would be useful to mobilize young people to engage youth yet at the same time they cautioned that such a
campaign would not reach young people in poor or rural areas who lack internet access. They mentioned the potentially wide reach of online media such as Facebook, Twitter and My space as beneficial. Several respondents seem to believe a campaign can be useful to encourage local action, youth participation and coalition building to create a strong collective voice. They also mentioned that advocacy efforts should target stakeholders at national and community levels to urge them to show visible commitment through policy change.

Annex 1: Countries of origin of e-consultation participants

Sub-Saharan Africa
Cameroon
Ethiopia
Kenya
Nigeria
Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe

The Caribbean
Barbados
Jamaica
Trinidad & Tobago

North America
Canada
United States

South East Asia
Cambodia
Indonesia
Papa New Guinea

South Asia
India
Nepal
Pakistan

Annex 2: List of participating youth who wanted to be acknowledged as having participated in the e-consultation

Jacquieline Atieno Owiti
Arrey Emmanuel Enow
Lucas Mkwizu
Maureen Murenga
Menelik Negussu
Daniel Njuki
Salim W October
Charles Omofomwan
Ben Unyime-Abasi

Compiled by Arianne Roberts, Advocates for Youth © October 2010