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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Denise Dunning, MPA, Esther Tahrir, MPH, Gwendolyn Smith, MPA, and Josie Ramos, MA. International Health Programs, Public Health Institute, 210 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 510-285-5592, ddunning@ihp.org

The Youth Leadership In Sexual and Reproductive Health Program (GOJoven), implemented by International Health Programs at the Public Health Institute, is an innovative model advancing sexual and reproductive rights in Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. GOJoven promotes young people's right to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health to combat increasing rates of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy throughout the region.

Emphasizing individual and community-based change as strategies to promote human rights, GOJoven develops cadres of influential and committed young leaders ages 20 to 30 working to advance sexual and reproductive rights and health. These leaders promote behavior change in their communities and engage in national advocacy to advance young people's human rights and health.

Supported by the Summit Foundation, GOJoven has built the capacity of 50 Fellows in the areas of leadership, human rights, advocacy, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS, and program management. Fellows design, implement, and evaluate country projects that promote sexual and reproductive rights and health of young people.

Results from the first two years of GOJoven indicate that building the capacity of young leaders is one of the most effective strategies to advance human rights, foster social change, and combat sexual and reproductive health challenges, including HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy.

Through their participation in GOJoven, Fellows and their institutions have increased their capacity and commitment to advance sexual and reproductive rights. The GOJoven model is replicable in diverse cultural contexts to promote human rights, as well as advance health and development goals.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how leadership development advances youth sexual and reproductive rights
• List three effective strategies to promote young people’s human rights internationally

Keywords: Adolescents, International, Reproductive Health

Related Web page: www.gojoven.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation