On behalf of Right Here Right Now (RHRN), ARROW with the RHRN Consortium members, successfully organised envisioning workshops in all the RHRN implementing countries in Asia. The workshops took place in Indonesia (5-9 September), Kuala Lumpur with Pakistan RHRN Platform (03-07 October) and Bangladesh RHRN Platform (10-14 October) and in Nepal (23-27 October).
While the convening workshop laid the foundation for the in-country programme, the second set of workshops further discussed advocacy priorities, defined and developed national Theory of Change (ToC) for each country which included a detailed national advocacy strategy and a capacity strengthening plan.
As part of the ToC, each platform discussed and agreed on long-term outcomes, short-term outcomes as well as interventions towards advocacy on young people and LGBTIQ sexual and reproductive health and rights. The platform members also identified risks and assumptions for each outcome. Additionally, each country platform elected/selected a host organisation and agreed upon a structure of the platform that includes a governing body as well as working groups. The implementation of the country plans will begin in 2017.
About RHRN: Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality (CHOICE), dance4life, Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (Hivos), The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR), Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network (LACWHN), Rutgers Netherlands and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs addresses the limited protection and respect and the hindered fulfilment of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of young people in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. The partnership strives for the protection, respect and fulfilment of young people’s SRHR, including girls, young women and young lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI). Specific attention is given to: freedom from stigma, discrimination and violence; access to comprehensive youth-friendly services; access to comprehensive information; and space for young people’s voices.