NEWS & VIEWS Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Vol. 10 No.3 September, 2014

A Quarterly Insight into the Association's Activities - For Internal Use

Hat trick: Habit of Winning since 2009 65th FPA Foundation Day (July 23)

Congrats The FPAI Madurai Branch has been ranked No. 1 among the Voluntary Organizations in Tamil Nadu State for its performance in sterilization for the year 2011-12. The Honora- ble Minister of Co-operatives Sellur. K. Raju and District Collector Madurai, Dr. L. Subramanian, I.A.S., presented the award to the Branch.

Posted at General Post

Book Post Mrs. Dhanvanti Rama Rau, Founder (From left) Dr. Kalpana Apte, Dr. Anjali Chhabria, Dr. Usha Krishna, Member & President of Family Mrs. Abha Singh, Mr. Harish Iyer, Ms. Mahabanoo Kotwal Planning Association of India Hyderabad Dr. Kalpana Apte, FPA India The Branch organized a media event at The day was dedicated to volun- Sr. Asst. Secretary General, Jinnaram, Medak District. The pro- teers with the theme "Selfless Programme Implementation, gramme was attended by the village Commitment to Sexual and Dr. Anjali Chhabria, Psychia- leaders, sarpanches of neighbouring Reproductive Health & Rights" trist, FPAI past President Dr. villages, Gram Panchayat members, and launching the "Year of Vol- Usha Krishna, Mrs. Abha Singh, media personal, branch volunteers and unteerism" to commemorate the and Women's Advocate, staff. 58 participants attended from dif- relentless service provided by Mr. Harish Iyer, LGBTQ Activist ferent mandal area villages of Jinnar- volunteers. A panel discussion and Ms. Mahabanoo Kotwal, am. Through folk songs, a troupe from saw spirited discussion between Director of 'The Vagina Mono- Janachaityna Kalyansamiti presented a activists and professionals in logues' and Advertising Field vivid description of FPAI founders and the SRHR field including legend Alyque Padamsee. Contact us: 022 40863101 Website: www.fpaindia.org Email: [email protected] also the branch activities. Managing Editor: Armin Jamshedji-Neogi Published by Family Planning Association of India, Bajaj Bhawan, Nariman Point, Mumbai 100 021 and Printed at Mouj Printing Bureau, Khatau Wadi, Mumbai 100 004 Aspire - 1 (September, 2014) FPA India helps J&K flood victims "Viva La FPA India" Desi Style FPA India Reaching out to flood victims in Srinagar Bangalore SRH&R issues. A media programme Volunteers from different walks of The natural disaster of floods in Kashmir is perhaps the distributing medicines, face masks, dettol liquid, hand The Branch organized a programme was also organized to spread aware- life came together to promote the worst ever in the history damaging buildings and taking sanitizers, a health check-up was conducted by the dedicating the day to volunteers and ness about FPA India and highlight concept of volunteerism in Sexual lives of many while leaving a trail of health problems. doctors. A vaccination camp for children was held as thefounder member of FPA India. the foundation day significance. and Reproductive Health and Fami- To alleviate the problems, Srinagar Branch organized well. The Srinagar Branch also received support from Dr. SharadaNasimath, Honorary ly Planning. medical relief camps in worst hit flood areas. Besides other Branches. Secretary said that the Foundation Day proposed to draw people from Trivandrum different walks of life who can vol- The Branch has organized a volun- unteer their time and help in reach- teer's meet. Volunteers from differ- World Population Day (July 11) ing information and service to the ent walks of life came together to Udupi Health Service Provider in Popula- clave, drawing competitions, exhibi- people who do not have access. promote volunteerism in the sector The Branch held a programme invit- tion Control" was the highlight at tion and prize distribution in thirty of sexual and reproductive health. ing the headmaster of a local school. the Branch. The need to involve and two schools and community slums. Nilgiris Participants' stressed on the need to educate young couples was stressed Investing in youth was the focus in The Branch celebrated the Founda- Srinagar contain population explosion and upon by the speakers. these programmes. tion day as Volunteers Day. Mr. Volunteers from different walks of spread awareness Clement Godfrey, Executive Com- life affirmed their desire to promote Bangalore Belguam mittee Member, FPAI Nilgiris Kalchini volunteerism in Sexual and Repro- Solapur The Branch had a discussion on The Branch conducted a rally that Branch expressed his view on vol- The Branch drew attention on this ductive Health and Rights. A huge college student's rally wit- present day population scenario, had 1005 participants including unteerism. He said that volunteers' day towards Family Planning and nessed participation of leading colleg- and issues that are linked with pop- those from various colleges and involvement in the policy decisions its necessity. Besides paying tribute Rajkot es where the underlying message was ulation explosion Stress was given non-governmental organizations, was crucial. to Mrs. Dhanvanti Rama Rau and The Branch held a seminar on vol- the need to control population and use on involving, educating and empow- Later, a programme was conducted highlighting the Branch activities, a unteerism. The social media per- family planning methods. Prominent ering young generation for a better to mark the day. Bhopal local ''SIT AND DRAW" art competi- sons were especially called for this city residents including the Chancellor future. The Branch organised a media tion was held. Later, forty youth meeting. The Branch Manager of Solapur University, Dr. N. N. Maldar Chandigarh event on the FPA India Foundation volunteers participated in a motor- highlighted issues that FPA India and Branch officials spoke on increas- Coonoor The Branch conducted a programme Day as 'Volunteer's Day' .Shakuntala cycle rally from Kalchini to Jaigaon tackles and also explained the ing population, , mater- The Branch held a programme with with the theme "A time to reflect on Sharma, Member RTC Sub-commit- near Bhutan border. theme of the event and the reason nal and baby health, poverty, human "Investing in Youth" and "A time to population trends and related tee Bhopal spoke of FPA India jour- that 23rdJuly was celebrated as vol- rights, right to health, sexuality educa- reflect on Population trends and issues". Three awareness camps saw ney since 1949 and its transition to a Jaipur unteerism day. tion, girl child education and sexually related issues" as the theme. a turn -out of hundreds of persons national level non-governmental The Branch organized a volunteer's transmitted infections. discussing the issue. Lectures and organization endeavoring on meet to mark the foundation day. Bhopal multi-media programmes were held Sagar The Branch held various pro- to disseminate information on popu- A programme on "Role of Youth grammes including a youth con- lation control.

Aspire - 2 (September, 2014) Aspire - 7 (September, 2014) National Consultation on Beijing Plat- Mr.Ram Kumar, Freelance Journalist. An article related to form for Action (BPfA) MDGs was later published in DNA. FPA India was represented at the UN Women organ- ized Beijing +20 India CSO national consultation in Building Evidence to Advocate for Sex- Delhi. The event was a celebration of India’s journey ual and Reproductive Health to gender equality over the last 20 years and also the and Rights (SRHR) in Post 2015 Devel- role that the civil societies, government, media and the public have played in improving the status of opment Agenda Integration is the focus of the European Union (EU) women in the country. Ms. BindiyaNimla was nomi- project: Building Momentum for Sexual and Repro- nated to attend the meeting.The consultation featured ductive Health (SRH) and HIV Integration in India panels on the Beijing +20 process, women’s security, through International Planned Parenthood Federa- resources and capabilities, macroeconomic policy and tion (IPPF) - South Asia Regional Office (SARO). FPA women’s rights. There was group work on the BPfA’s India will advocate on the goals with the government twelve critical areas of concern – (i) women and the and others including civil society organization on environment, (ii) human rights of women, (iii) women inclusion of SRHR in the sustainable development and poverty, (iv) women in power and decision mak- goals. It plans to build evidence and support for the ing, (v) education, training of women, (vi) women and cause - inclusion sexual and reproductive health and the media, (vii) women and the economy, (viii) institu- rights, gender equality, adolescents and youth needs tional mechanisms, (ix) women and health, (x) vio- and rights, and non-discrimination are the key ele- lence against women, (xi) the girl child; and (xii) ments of post 2015 development agenda. The 'find- women and armed conflict. The outputs of the India ings' or recommendations will be used to influence National Consultation will be used to inform the Asia government decisions on post 2015 development Pacific regional review and the subsequently the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women framework especially on health and gender goals. schedule din New York, March 2015. Every Woman Every Child Since the launch of the United Nations Secretary - Dr.Mahinder Watsa receiving the Award from Dr. R. P. Soonawala. Looking on right of Dr. Watsa - Ms Sujatha Natarajan, Nationalizing Sustainable Ms Veena Kholi, on left Dr. Usha Krishna General Ban Ki - Moon's Global Strategy for Wom- Development Debate en's and Children's Health and Every Woman Every A two day meeting was organized by different CSOs to Child, a movement and multi-stakeholder partner- Dr. V V Puri Award conferred to the 'Sexpert' of the 21st Century discuss how and what can be contributed to the debate ship has generated new attention and investment in Dr. Mahinder C. Watsa was the recipient of the Dr V V early '70s and is now well-known as the "Sexpert" of the on sustainability. women's and children's health and the numbers of Puri Award this time. Dr Watsa has made tremendous . Recognizing issues that needed to be A consultation programme was organized at the maternal and child deaths have decreased signifi- contribution in the field of sexual health in India. He is addressed urgently, Dr. Watsa was the first to focus work Constitutional Club, New Delhi. FPA India was one of cantly. FPA India made a commitment for providing a Consultant for Sexual Medicine and Gynecology and on some of these issues related to domestic violence, the organizers. The other organizers were Third SRH services to the Poor, Marginalized, Socially World Network (TWN), PAIRVI, Beyond Copenhagen, is a certified Sex Educator and Counselor from the male involvement, sexuality among mentally chal- Excluded and the Underserved (PMSEU). FPA India American Association of Sexuality Educators Counse- lenged, integration of family planning and STI/HIV/ Cecoedecon, International Planned Parenthood Feder- will also advocate for sexual rights as human rights ation (IPPF), CSO Partnership for Development Effec- lors and Therapists. Dr. Watsa has been associated with AIDS, and more recently in 2005 on the very young tiveness (CPDE), South Asian Dialogues on Ecological the Family Planning Association of India since the adolescents between 10-14 years of age. Democracy (SADED), IBON International, LANDESA. Addressing Sexual and Gender Based Vio- At the meeting FPA India representative spoke on lence (SGBV) through Information & Services SDGs and health. This project is being funded by Ford Foundation for ily, friends, and others serving one year. It has components of advocacy and service World Breast as team members, coaches, delivery. The objectives are: (i) to disseminate the Feeding Week South Asia Consultation on Media Engage- cheerleaders and fans. message of sexual rights for all and eliminate dis- Coonoor ment in Post 2015 Development Process crimination against women and girls in the communi- The World Breast Feeding IPPF-SARO organized a consultation conference inviting ty, (ii) 'Document' the voices of the community on Week was conducted in Training For Member Association's (MA) from Maldives, Sri Lanka, Paki- sexual rights and eliminate discrimination against Municipal Health Center, Cervical Cancer stan, Bangladesh, Nepal and India to attend the above men- women and girls in the community, and (iii) Create Coonoor, with the UN theme A training programme was tioned workshop in Nepal. Each MA was accompanied by awareness among the community on SGBV and access "Breast feeding - A winning organized at the Hyderabad three media representatives. The other representatives were to services. The project will be collecting voices of the goal for life". Branch for the Medical from Third World Network (TWN) and Landesa which works community as a part of advocacy and will be imple- Officers, ANM and other Para- with governments and other local organizations to create mented through Mumbai, Panchkula, Delhi, Patna medical staff from Mumbai, tailored approaches to expand land rights to the rural poor. Goodness of and JaipurBranches. Induction training was organ- Dharwad and Hyderabad. The From India, the media personnel included Ms.Ketki Angre ized in New Delhi for this purpose. Mother's Milk from NDTV, Ms. Maitri Porecha of the DNA and "Breastfeeding is a "team" pro- trained participants are cess- mother and babies form expected to train other para- the core of the team, with fam- medics and medical officers.

Aspire - 4 (September, 2014) Aspire - 5 (September, 2014) Mysore the event which was also covered Gwalior The Branch members and office by local print and electronic media The Branch celebrated the Founda- SETU Annual Review Meeting members held a meeting and dis- representatives.. Honorable Air tion Day by organizing different seminated information on FPA India Marshal Randhir Singh, Chief health checkup camps for the people and its growth. The annual plan for Guest, praised the work of FPAI as of urban slum and villages. 2015 was also discussed. an agency that endeavors to improve the quality of life for the Dindigul Mohali deprived section of the Society. Thirty seven members - Branch Vol- Around two hundred persons unteers, youth members, officials including community leaders, vol- Jabalpur from Govt. of Tamil Nadu, doctors, unteers of the association, repre- The Branch held a discussion on teachers and likeminded social activ- sentatives of CSR unit of Larsen & volunteerism. A short video Film ists in Dindigul actively participated Toubro, Chandigarh, beneficiaries Mushtari, an Inspiring Change in a meeting held to commemorate of FPAI's services and representa- agent of FPAI Jabalpur at grassroot the foundation day. "Effective Volun- tives of educational schools and level, was played and was well teerism" was the theme of the dis- technical institutes participated in received. cussion.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine On 17th September, at a meeting of the Medical Advisory Panel, Dr. Sarita Bhalerao made a presentation on HPV vaccine. She stated that although there is no cure for cervical cancer, it can be prevented. Thirteen of the 100 types of HPV cause cancer. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common can- cer in women, with an estimated 530,000 new cases and more than 270,000 women die annually.

20th International AIDS Conference (IAC) It takes 15 to 20 years for cervical can- Nisha Jagdish, Director, HIV-AIDS and Prasanth Saraf, Pro- Ms. Geeta Sethi, Secretary General, Dr. Kalpana Apte, Sr. Asst. Secretary General and Dr. Manisha Bhise, Technical Programme cer to develop in women with normal gramme Officer, Hyderabad Branch attended the 20th Interna- Manager, FPA India immune systems. It can take only 5 to 10 tional AIDS Conference (IAC) held in Melbourne, Australia. years in women with weakened immune Core+ SETU Project is currently the underserved population. access of service provision. The The IAC is the premier gathering for those working in the field systems, such as those with untreated been implemented at 17 outreach Annual Review meeting of the pro- of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and HIV infection. Currently, there are two locations across India. The Project A review meeting cum workshop ject was attended by Branch Manag- other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. vaccines which protect against both has contributed in increasing ser- was held in Mumbai to prepare an ers, Project Coordinators and M&E HPV 16 and 18, which are known to vice delivery by expansion of opera- exit plan and to discuss strategies Officers. A total of 42 participants During the conference, Nisha cause 70% of cervical cancers. tional area of the implementing for sustainability. The Service Edu- from 15 branches discussed the per- Jagdish, presented a poster branches. Most importantly, the cation and Training Unit (SETU formance, future challenges and focusing on elimination of Clinical trial results show that both Project has increased access to con- Project) implemented through IPPF sustainability aspects of the Project. mother to child HIV transmis- vaccines are safe and very effective in traceptive services and other SRH Core+ funding at 17 outreach loca- At the end of the workshop, each sion, Approaches for Reducing preventing infection with HPV 16 and services for poor, marginalized and tions of 15 branches, expanded branch prepared an exit Plan. Vertical Transmission and Pro- 18. Both vaccines work best if adminis- viding Stigma Free SRH-HIV tered prior to exposure to HPV. There- Services and was one of the fore, it is preferable to administer Panellists for the Satellite Ses- before first sexual activity. WHO recom- sion - Risk or Reality organized by Inter-agency Working Group International Day Against Drug Abuse mends vaccination for girls aged 9-13 on SRHR and HIV Linkages. This debate-style satellite session a BCC programme was conducted discussed was regarding drug abuse years as this is the most cost-effective Trivandrum discussed the successes, challenges, and pitfalls in connecting for students at University College and its harmful effects. Fifty seven public health measure against cervical In connection with the International HIV and SRHR. She shared FPA India's experience of integra- Auditorium on 26th June. The topic students attended the programme. cancer. The vaccine can be adminis- Day Against Drug Abuse a rally and tion in practice (concentrated HIV epidemic). Prashant Saraf tered up to 26 years of age which is the who has taken over as Global Coordinator of IPPF+ (Interna- 'catch up' period. HPV vaccination does tional Planned Parenthood Federation Plus ) re-launched IPPF+ not replace cervical cancer screening. during the pre- conference meeting and shared updated IPPF+ to the representatives of IPPF Regional and Member Associa-

Aspire - 6 (September, 2014) Aspire - 3 (September, 2014)