The Legacy of ICPD: Unfolding the Future of Family Planning

Sadia Rahman - Manager, Youth and Adolescent Partnerships, Asia Pacific Hub – FP2030

In the heart of Benin last month, a historic event unfolded at the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue. Amidst the vibrant discussions and fervent exchanges, the future of young people's SRHR and family planning agenda took center stage. This gathering marked a pivotal moment where stakeholders from across the globe converged to shape the trajectory of sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents and youths.

The ICPD holds a significant place in the history of global development. Convened in 1994, it laid down a groundbreaking agenda, emphasizing the centrality of human rights, gender equality, and reproductive health to sustainable development. Fast forward to 2024, and the importance of the ICPD agenda remains undiminished, particularly concerning the empowerment and well-being of adolescents and youths.

At this year's dialogue, hosted in Cotonou, FP2030 Asia and the Pacific Hub emerged as a steadfast advocate for change. Together with the vibrant voices of young advocates from Nepal, Indonesia, and India, we illuminated the path forward. Our shared vision culminated in the launch of FP2030's Global Adolescent and Youth (AY) strategy, a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation with rights-based family planning.

One of the key takeaways from the dialogue was the recognition of the need for tailored regional objectives. We understand that real impact happens on the ground, and thus, our strategies must be attuned to local contexts and challenges. The participation of FP2030 youth focal points from Nepal, India, and Indonesia was instrumental in this regard. Their presence facilitated networking, built alliances, and amplified voices from the grassroots level, ensuring that the realities on the ground were accurately captured. During the regional clinics, young minds across the Asia and Pacific region gathered and drafted the final ICPD regional statements. The discussion prioritized empowering youth by involving them in decision-making through advisory boards and councils, ensuring diverse representation. Provide training and mentorship to educate them about their rights and responsibilities. Enact strong legislation for comprehensive healthcare, including support for mental health and reproductive rights. Promote inclusive family planning through awareness campaigns and peer-led initiatives. Mentorship programs further support young leaders advocating for inclusive policies, creating a generation that is empowered and informed.

FP2030’s youth focal point from Indonesia Daniel Wahuy narrated his enlightening experience at the dialogue as, “1.9 billion voices of young people are a pivotal instrument to fulfill the ICPD Progress of Action (PoA). The ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue was a great experience for me to engage, share, learn, and unlearn from the experiences of amazing young people from around the world! During the activity, I reflected on what I have done to advance and fulfill the sexual and reproductive health rights of young people in Indonesia, especially with the use of digital platforms. This experience was invaluable and brought together the hearts and voices of young people.

The launch of the FP2030 Global Adolescent and Youth strategy was a momentous occasion that echoed the conversations happening during the GYD. It underscored our collective resolve to achieve the agenda of family planning for adolescents and youths. Through this strategy, FP2030 is committed to identifying high-impact practices, leveraging data-driven decision-making, prioritizing AY commitments, fostering alliances, and nurturing youth leadership. Our youth focal point Aastha Subedi asked a question to us during the launching panel discussion, "Is?it possible to attain AYSRHR in our region without a youth movement and how do we promote and sustain the AYSRH movement in Asia?" She shared, that?the answer lies in concerted, collaborative action. We must prioritize youth engagement and empowerment. Young people are not just beneficiaries; they are agents of change with valuable insights and perspectives to offer. By involving them in decision-making processes and providing platforms for their voices to be heard, we can ensure that AYSRH initiatives are relevant, effective, and sustainable.

However, achieving our goals requires concerted action. Governments, donors, and NGOs must recognize youth partners as equal stakeholders in the journey towards fulfilling the ICPD objectives. By empowering youth voices, we can unlock innovative solutions, foster inclusive policies, and catalyze positive change at scale.

As we reflect on the outcomes of the ICPD global youth dialogue, let us heed the call to action. Let us join hands to ensure that every young person can shape their future, free from barriers and discrimination. Together, let's make history by advancing the agenda of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.

Join us in this transformative journey. Together, we can make a difference.