|
April 2007 update on new publications, actions you can take, and more!
Advocates for Youth's e-News Update
This Month
Breaking News: Abstinence-only Doesn't Work!
We know, you knew that. But after 10 years, finally the U.S. government knows it. In 1997, Congress authorized a long-term study of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. This groundbreaking report was quietly released on a government Web site. No press release. No announcement. Nothing.
Why all the secrecy? Because it turns out that the government discovered what we have been saying for years - abstinence-only programs have no impact. Even worse, abstinence-only participants were less likely to believe that condoms lower the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Take action TODAY! Tell Congress to stop funding failed abstinence-only programs.
April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month
During April, sexual violence prevention advocates promoted activities to raise awareness about sexual assault and its prevention. Sexual assault involves sexual acts that are forced upon individuals against their will. These acts can be physical (such as rape or unwanted sexual touching), verbal (such as sexually abusive or threatening speech), or psychological (such as voyeurism or exhibitionism). Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault. However, women and girls are more likely than males to experience sexual violence. Sexual assault is most often committed by someone the victim knows, such as a partner, family member, co-worker, friend or acquaintance, although it can also be committed by a stranger.
For more information on sexual assault and dating violence, click on the links below:
May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTTPM)
The United States continues to have higher rates of teen pregnancy, birth, and abortion than other industrialized nations. Each year, approximately 750,000 to 850,000 teenage women in the United States experience pregnancy. Seventy-four to 95 percent of teen pregnancies are unintended.
Please join Advocates for Youth in making NTPPM an effective year-round catalyst to highlight and promote sexual health information and services for teens.
Start planning your events now!
- For more information about National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, please click here.
- To find evaluated, effective teen pregnancy prevention programs, please click here.
- To read our publications on teen pregnancy prevention, please click here.
YAN Updates
Have you...
Experienced difficulty getting EC?
Had abstinence-only sex education?
Been to a purity ball?
Email caeden@advocatesforyouth.org with your stories about accessing contraception, being involved with abstinence pledges, experiencing homophobia, or other sexual/reproductive health issues.
Advocates for Youth is collecting young people's stories to include in educational materials and training modules and to help influence the media. Your stories can educate others and save lives!
Do you belong to a campus organization?
Want to partner with Advocates for Youth?
Advocates for Youth is looking for up to 20 university-based organizations to mobilize young people in the fight for youth rights to sexual health information and services.
We will provide advocacy and media training, materials for dissemination ongoing assistance, and a stipend to help your organization educate, activate and empower the student body on issues such as sex education, condom availability, HIV prevention/treatment, and emergency contraception!
Join Advocates for Youth in taking a stand for truth and honesty!
The deadline has passed.
Say What?!
How Ideology Ends Life Saving Exams...
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt pulled funding from two Planned Parenthood affiliates that provided free breast cancer and cervical cancer exams. Why?
"Patients should not have to go to an abortion clinic to access life-saving tests," Blunt said in a written statement.
However, the two Planned Parenthood affiliates in question do not and have never provided abortion services.
Click here to read the full story.
In The Spotlight
Jalan currently serves on the Advocates for Youth Board of Directors and is a student at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
The following is an excerpt of a blog Jalan wrote about her concerns that young women might not get pap smears once the HPV vaccine is widespread.
"I recently saw one of Merck's 'One Less' commercials that depict ethnically diverse, physically active, and attractive women discussing the importance of being vaccinated against cervical cancer. All of these women want to be 'one less' woman with cervical cancer. They urge everyone to share information about this vaccine with loved ones so that they too can be 'one less' woman with cervical cancer.
The new vaccine, Gardasil®, manufactured by Merck Pharmaceuticals, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for young women, ages 9-26. Clearly Merck is putting a lot of money behind promoting this vaccine to young women. But this captivating commercial can lull young women into a false sense of security about their reproductive health."
Read the rest of Jalan's blog here.
What in the World
ACT UP Turns 20
By Naina Dhingra, Director of International Policy, Advocates for Youth
Twenty years ago this month, one of the most powerful activist movements was born - the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power - better known as ACT UP. ACT UP has accomplished many things in 20 years but perhaps the most powerful is the lessons that it has to offer the reproductive justice movement in the current political climate.
Read the blog here.
Read All About It
The Facts-Youth Reproductive and Sexual Health in Jamaica
Youth ages 10 to 24 comprise nearly one-third of Jamaica's total population of over 2.6 million. Early sexual activity, combined with a lack of relevant information, services, and skills to avoid risky situations, place Jamaican youth at risk of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and other threats to their sexual and reproductive health.
On the Town
I'M TABOO
I'M TABOO is a thought-provoking, anti-establishment campaign that springs from the idea that by denying teens comprehensive, honest sex ed we leave many who have questions feeling "taboo." The campaign calls on teens to "make the unspeakable, speakable" and gives teens a platform for self-advocacy, so they can spread the word about their need for and right to comprehensive sex education.
This campaign gives teens the opportunity to publish their own videos and stories about the importance of comprehensive sexuality education and expands awareness of the teen-written magazine Sex, Etc. and Web site, Sexetc.org.
The campaign runs through May 20, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.sexetc.org/page/im_taboo
Choice USA's Generation-to-Generation Celebration
Each year, Choice USA honors the achievements of the next generation who are leading the charge to uphold reproductive justice - young women and men who are making a difference on campuses, in hometowns, in the media, and more.
This year's celebration takes place on Wednesday, May 23rd at LeftBank, 2424 18th Street NW, Washington, DC.
Click here to learn more and buy tickets: http://www.choiceusa.org/index.php?option=com_events&task=details&type=event&id=13
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
Read previous issues from the Archive of e-News Updates >>
|
Send this page to a friend