African Women’s Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights Conference: Prosperity through Empowerment, Johannesburg 4-7 2003

Press Release December 9, 2002

The first conference dedicated to African Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, February 4th to 7th 2003. The conference represents an opportunity to bring together policy makers, women’s organisations, donor agencies, researchers and health-care providers to debate and strategise around gender and health in Africa. Africa is currently in a state of reproductive health crisis facing the highest rates of maternal mortality and the spread of HIV / AIDS and low availability of and use of fertility regulation methods. This conference is an attempt to address the emergency in the region and raise awareness of the connection between this crisis and women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights issues and mobilize pan-African public opinion to support them.

Moderated by the Chief Bureau Officer for CNN in South Africa, Charleyne Hunter-Gault, the opening plenary will focus on the importance of the recognition of African Women’s Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights to creating a democratic, peaceful and prosperous society in Africa. Papers will include a presentation on the challenges faced by policy makers in Africa of translating international provision for health declared in international agreements into current legislation at national and regional level. In the wake of the US decision to withdraw $32 million of funding from this sector and at a time when funding generally is being drastically cut, a second panel will discuss the priorities of multilateral aid agencies compared with the dimensions of the reproductive health crisis being faced.

The following three days will be dedicated to Women’s Realities, Services and New Generations respectively. With a view to analysing current gender inequities and problems inherent in African societies from land rights to gendered vulnerabilities and HIV/AIDS and integrating women’s rights into public health services, the discussions will also aim to identify how to change the parameters and build a new ethos for the future incorporating women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. As only through the recognition of these rights as fundamental to women’s human rights will allow for a democratic and prosperous society in Africa.

The conference is being organised by AMANITARE, the African Partnership for the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls. AMANITARE is an initiative of RAINBO (Research, Action and Information for the bodily integrity of Women) and is a pan-African effort to consolidate and advance work with a clear agenda on women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The partnership is currently comprised of 43 partners in 16 different African countries.

To discuss coverage or further information regarding AMANITARE and its mandate, please contact one of the following:

Media Contact: Southern Africa & Regional Media Contact:
Karen Efford Zandile Nzalo
Tel: +44 (0) 207 625 3400 Tel: + 27
E-mail: [email][email protected] E-mail: [email][email protected]