 | 1. Talk about sex Sex matters in international cooperation. Sexual health is about preventing the risks of unplanned pregnancy, sexual transgressive behaviour, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, as well as achieving access to quality health care for those who do encounter these. Sexual health is also about the pleasurable and enjoyable aspects of sexuality. This requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships. |
As Minister of Development Cooperation, enter into the conversation on sexual health needs with your fellow Ministers abroad. You have the full support of parliament to do so (see the recently adopted resolution on this subject). Where the topic is taboo or faced with resistance, you can support civil society organisations that do speak out on these issues and make it a subject of public debate. Support women, young people, LGBTIQ+ people, people living with HIV, etc. who organise themselves and fight for social justice and the right to health, and help ensure their safety.
2. Give everyone access to affordable, quality healthcare
Affordable and quality health care, including sexual and reproductive health services, means that people don’t delay or put off seeking care because they cannot afford it or because they fear the hospital more than they trust it. It means doing away with hospitals that "hold ransom" new-born mothers and their children until their families can pay the hospital fees.
As a Belgian minister, you can credibly advocate the benefits of a strong health system. Help countries work towards greater investment of their budgets in health and in strengthening health systems. Support the development of health insurance schemes that ensure that health spending does not push people (further) into poverty. Make sure they include sexual and reproductive health services.
3. Leave no one behind
Sexual health is inextricably linked to the promotion and protection of sexual rights. Everyone should be able to experience relationships and sexuality free from coercion, discrimination and violence.
Specifically, this means that Belgium should pay particular attention to the needs and rights of young people, of girls and women, and of groups globally burdened by stigma and discrimination. These groups often suffer multiple forms of exclusion and disadvantage, such as people living with HIV, migrants, ethnic and cultural minorities, LGBTIQ+ persons, etc.
4. Don't think 'there are too many of us'
It’s a fundamental human right of every individual and couple to decide freely if, how many and when they want children. That means people need accessible information about safe sex, the use of contraception and abortion options. It equally means that women can conceive and give birth safely and that those struggling with infertility can also realise their desire to have children.
The number of births is declining worldwide. The fact that the population on our planet is still growing can be explained better by people living longer than by the number of children women have. Countries that pursue socially just policies see poverty in their countries fall and consequently the number of children per family (and not the other way around). In those countries, girls and women are given more opportunities to go to school, marry later and start having children later, with fewer risks to their health and that of new-borns. To be able to walk such a path, young people need information and sexual and reproductive health services, such as contraception.
5. Embed sexual health and rights in education
Offering good care is not enough if people are insufficiently educated to find their way to services and information. Therefore, also discuss with your fellow ministers how we can break the taboo around sexual health and rights in education. Everyone has a right to information on these topics so that they can make informed choices about relationships and sexuality. In doing so, advocate for a broad curriculum that also discusses sexually transgressive behaviour, unplanned pregnancy, infertility, LGBT+ identities and the pleasurable aspects of sex.
2. Give everyone access to affordable, quality healthcare
Affordable and quality health care, including sexual and reproductive health services, means that people don’t delay or put off seeking care because they cannot afford it or because they fear the hospital more than they trust it. It means doing away with hospitals that "hold ransom" new-born mothers and their children until their families can pay the hospital fees.
As a Belgian minister, you can credibly advocate the benefits of a strong health system. Help countries work towards greater investment of their budgets in health and in strengthening health systems. Support the development of health insurance schemes that ensure that health spending does not push people (further) into poverty. Make sure they include sexual and reproductive health services.
3. Leave no one behind
Sexual health is inextricably linked to the promotion and protection of sexual rights. Everyone should be able to experience relationships and sexuality free from coercion, discrimination and violence.
Specifically, this means that Belgium should pay particular attention to the needs and rights of young people, of girls and women, and of groups globally burdened by stigma and discrimination. These groups often suffer multiple forms of exclusion and disadvantage, such as people living with HIV, migrants, ethnic and cultural minorities, LGBTIQ+ persons, etc.
4. Don't think 'there are too many of us'
It’s a fundamental human right of every individual and couple to decide freely if, how many and when they want children. That means people need accessible information about safe sex, the use of contraception and abortion options. It equally means that women can conceive and give birth safely and that those struggling with infertility can also realise their desire to have children.
The number of births is declining worldwide. The fact that the population on our planet is still growing can be explained better by people living longer than by the number of children women have. Countries that pursue socially just policies see poverty in their countries fall and consequently the number of children per family (and not the other way around). In those countries, girls and women are given more opportunities to go to school, marry later and start having children later, with fewer risks to their health and that of new-borns. To be able to walk such a path, young people need information and sexual and reproductive health services, such as contraception.
5. Embed sexual health and rights in education
Offering good care is not enough if people are insufficiently educated to find their way to services and information. Therefore, also discuss with your fellow ministers how we can break the taboo around sexual health and rights in education. Everyone has a right to information on these topics so that they can make informed choices about relationships and sexuality. In doing so, advocate for a broad curriculum that also discusses sexually transgressive behaviour, unplanned pregnancy, infertility, LGBT+ identities and the pleasurable aspects of sex.
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