ICPD Beyond 2014 Caribbean Forum on Population, Migration and Development

Civil Society Statement, presented by Dona Da Costa Martinez, Trinidad and Tobago Family Planning Association

In the statement presented by Dona Da Costa Martinez of the Trinidad and Tobago Family Planning Association on Georgetown, Guyana on 9 July 2014, civil society organizations (CSOs) and networks highlighted a number key issues related to the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action that should also strengthen the linkages between the ICPD objectives, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda.

Achievements and challenges

In the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) CSOs noted improvement in areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention programmes; the contraceptive prevalence rate; and provision of SRH services. However, 20 years after ICPD, levels of maternal morbidity and mortality remains unacceptably high in several countries; and access to and quality of SRH services remain inadequate and a challenge for populations including the elderly, LGBT, indigenous, adolescents and young people, and people living with disability.

On gender equality and women’s empowerment, while complimenting countries that have are implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Belem do Para and other international instruments for the prevention of gender-based violence including sexual violence, the Caribbean still registers one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world. Some countries have established national machineries such as gender bureaux and strides have been made in women representation and participation in decision- making processes. Maternal morbidity and mortality however still remain unacceptably high in several countries.

While welcoming the decrease in the adolescent fertility rate, current levels of teen pregnancy remain unacceptably high. The development of youth friendly spaces was recognized as has being essential in the delivery of information, education, counseling and services on sexual and reproductive health. Several governments, moreover have been implementing Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) programmes which CSOs see as an entry point for comprehensive sexuality education. Of particular concern is the impact on young girls of child marriage. Also of concern are the high drop-out rates of male students from the educational system and the criminalization of the boy child when he engages in sexual activities with girls under the age of 16.

Attention was drawn to Migration, both the brain drain and undocumented migrants, especially sex workers (male and female), domestic workers, refugees and asylum seekers, who do not have equal rights and access to services such as health including SRHR, education, housing and employment.

For key CSO recommendations see the full statement. Also see Powerpoint presentation on Achieving universal access to SRHR.