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SRHR and the MDGs in Portugal and around the World - International Conference of Decision Makers 2005, Lisbon - Assembly of the Republic of Portugal, 18-19 October 2005

On October 18 in the Parliament of Lisbon, Portugal, over 145 young leaders from political parties, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and youth governmental bodies, such as the Portuguese Institute for Youth and National Youth Council, signed the Lisbon Declaration, an historic agreement on sexual and reproductive health and rights.  The Lisbon Declaration proclaims the signatories’ own commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive rights and health for all people, especially young people, and calls on the Portuguese government to step-up its investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights both at home and internationally.  

'Portugal’s young people have been suffering from unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortion, HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, and other threats to their health and rights,' said Pedro Nuno, Member of Parliament and leader of Socialist Youth.  He continued, 'They have a right to the education and services they need to make safe and informed decisions about their sexual lives.  This unprecedented gathering of a broad spectrum of political leaders, advocates, and experts represents real hope for progress.'

Pedro Duarte, social-democrat MP and former Secretary of State for Youth recognized this initiative 'as a landmark on youth empowerment about sexual and reproductive health and rights in Portugal and around world. This should help to prompt investment in sexual and reproductive health and rights.'

Also, Maria Geraldes, President of the Portuguese Institute for Youth, about Youth Sexual Education Programs and Development  said  'To better invest in Sexual Education is to invest in a better future, once a well informed Youth brings better health, less public costs, strongest societies, and sustainable social and economic development. To invest more in training and information is to prevent diseases, poverty and to increase responsability of all citizens. Better Education at all leads to success and empowerment. Portugal must be on that way!'
 
The Lisbon Declaration recognizes that sexual and reproductive health is a right unto itself as well as a key factor in poverty reduction and sustainable development, as documented in international agreements such as the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD, Cairo, 1994), the Platform for Action of the International Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995), the Millennium Development Goals, and, most recently, the 2005 World Summit (New York, 2005).  The participants agreed that action must be taken to:

• Provide universal access to information, sexuality education, and family planning;

• Attain gender equality and equity;

• Involve young people in the development and implementation of policies and programs that affect them;

• Prevent all forms of sexual abuse and violence in and outside of the family;

• Eradicate HIV/AIDS, including by integrating HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care with other reproductive health services; and

• Understand sexual and reproductive health and rights in the context of other social justice and human rights issues.

The declaration also recognizes Portugal’s role in the global community as a donor country.  Independent reviews of Portugal’s development assistance have found it lacking in response to sexual and reproductive rights and health.  In fact, as of 2002, only 0.18% of Portugal’s overseas development assistance supports sexual and reproductive health and rights; the lowest share of assistance of any donor country except Greece.  To reach its commitments under ICPD, the government would have to increase its aid as of 2003 by 36.5%.  The Lisbon Declaration calls for the Portuguese government to live up to its international commitments, and specifically calls for increased assistance to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

At the closing session Mr. Laurentino Dias State Secretariat for Youth and Sports recognized the importance of the initiative and said, 'the Lisbon Declaration as a first result of this Conference is a good example of youth power and the advocacy capacity of civil society and partnership with Parliament and Government. We must monitor and spread the Declaration.'

'Sexual and reproductive health and rights are part of the Portuguese Agenda for Youth participation, Health, Co-operation, Education and Rights.  And we, as Portuguese Young Decision Makers, can’t forgot the role of Portugal in Lusophone countries, the UN, and EU bodies,' finalized the socialist MP, Pedro Nuno.

Duarte Vilar, Executive Director of APF declared that 'Our involvement in the international effort for youth rights comes directly from the APF ‘s big involvement in the promotion of SRH&R of the Youth through the organization of youth friendly services and the provision of sex education all over the country. We know very well the obstacles that still exist in our societies on the recognition of the youth rights to make free and responsible choices in their sexual lives, that’s why advocacy on this is still crucial'.

'In Portugal, we often feel overwhelmed with the problems we face in creating a better quality of life for ourselves, and often think there is little we can do to help others.  We are, however, rich in resources in comparison to developing countries and can contribute both resources and expertise to empower young people in Lusophone countries from Mozambique to Angola, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, S.Tome e Principe or Cape Verde' said Alice Frade, International Cooperation and Development Officer, the Portuguese Family Planning Association.  'By investing in sexual and reproductive health and education programs in developing countries, we will expand young people’s opportunities, strengthen communities, and save lives,' she explained.

This meeting was hosted by the Portuguese Family Planning Association (APF), the Inter-European Parliamentary Group on Population and Development, the Portuguese Parliamentary Group on Population and Development, the Portuguese Parliament, and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS), with the support of the Summit Foundation and Portuguese Institute for Youth

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• Lisbon Declaration