Faith actors are critical stakeholders, who have a normative and real-life influence on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Faith actors can both positively and negatively influence the uptake, acceptability, and accessibility of preventive measures, education, and services. Education and health care systems around the world are sustained and delivered by faith communities in many parts of the world. In many communities, engaging faith actors is paramount for access and acceptability.

In this Side Event, gender and SRHR advocates from Africa, Asia, and Latin America will share their experiences and potential on how to engage faith actors in advocating for the SRHR and reproductive justice. The panel will provide recommendations to Member States on how to engage faith actors to contribute to the promotion of SRHR to enable transformative change.

You can review our Concept Note.

Room: Conference Room 5, UN Headquarters, New York

Virtual Participation via UN WebTV

Speakers:

State Secretary Bjørg Sandkjær, Norway

H.E. Ms. María del Carmen Squeff, Argentina

Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA

Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance

Nirmala Gurung, World YWCA

Yilikal Shiferaw, Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Paula Sánchez-Mejorada ibarra, CDD México

Moderator: Zanele Makombe, ACT Ubumbano

Co-Hosts and Organisers:

Norway MFA, Argentina, UNFPA, ACT Alliance, NCA, World YWCA, Fòs Feminista, Act Church of Sweden and Faith to Action Network.

Please note that you must already have a UN ground pass to enter this event.

Between Taboos and Freedom: Religion, Rights and Reproductive Justice