Four key events highlight the importance of education and the guarantee of rights associated with sexual and reproductive health in the country.
Bogotá, September 29, 2023. In Colombia, the month of September has become an opportunity for reflection and action to promote sexual and reproductive health as a fundamental pillar of overall health and well-being throughout a person's life. Various initiatives were undertaken, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the practice of informed and violence-free sexuality, without discrimination or risk, while promoting rights and timely access to comprehensive information and education.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and with the support of Global Affairs Canada, four prominent events were held throughout the month, promoting a healthy and enjoyable sexual life, free from pressure and violence, and providing access to information and services that are humane, comprehensive, high-quality, and confidential. These efforts aimed to improve access to contraception, safe voluntary termination of pregnancy services, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and the prevention of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.
World Sexual Health Day
On September 4, the country joined in celebrating World Sexual Health Day. The event, coordinated with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the health departments of Valle del Cauca and Cali, centered on the theme of consent. On September 6, in Cali, a day was dedicated to promoting discussions around the full experience of sexuality, with the participation of more than 100 individuals.
Andean Week for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy
From September 18 to 22, the 13th Andean Week for the Prevention of Child and Adolescent Pregnancy was commemorated under the slogan "in families, we talk openly about rights, sexuality, and more." This week represents the regional effort to address one of the greatest public health challenges: reducing fertility and pregnancy rates in girls and adolescents. According to preliminary data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) published by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, in 2022, there were 93,341 births among girls aged 15 to 19 and 4,182 births among girls aged 10 to 14 in Colombia. Although there has been a reduction compared to 2021 data, there are still high numbers of teenage pregnancies.
The activities during the Andean Week focused on reinforcing the active role of families and caregivers in guaranteeing the sexual and reproductive rights of children and adolescents. These activities included panel discussions, artistic exhibitions, service fairs, and communication campaigns, especially targeting women in vulnerable situations. On September 22, the event concluded with a march through the streets of Popayán, Cauca, featuring more than 1,200 students, adolescents, and young people who gathered to present artistic exhibits and initiatives related to the prevention of unplanned pregnancies. Participants expressed messages and slogans about self-love, self-protection, and the rejection of violence.
"This week has been a powerful reminder of the importance of uniting as a society to promote and guarantee sexual and reproductive rights, especially in the prevention of childhood and adolescent pregnancies. This remains a critical challenge that not only affects our communities but also has lasting effects on the future and influences the development of countries and the region," said Dr. Gina Tambini Gómez, the representative of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in Colombia.
World Contraception Day
September 26 commemorates World Contraception Day, a call to promote universal access to modern contraceptive methods to make informed decisions about having children and the right timing.
Colombia intensified its efforts to increase access to long-acting contraceptive methods. In collaboration with local healthcare providers, four contraception brigades were organized in the departments of Cesar, Córdoba, La Guajira, and Cauca, benefiting 280 women by providing them with information and subdermal implant supplies.
"The achievement and outcome of the contraception brigades not only have a practical impact on preventing unplanned pregnancies but also extend to more dignified life plans, promoting the autonomy of women and the development of families with a better quality of life," stated Catherine Rodríguez, a national consultant in sexual and reproductive health and maternal/neonatal health at PAHO.
500 Days of Judgment C-055/22: Progress and Challenges of Voluntary Pregnancy Termination in Colombia
On the last day of September, an event addressed the progress and challenges in ensuring the right to Voluntary Pregnancy Termination (VPT) in Colombia. Experts on the subject, representatives of institutions, social leaders, and healthcare professionals gathered to discuss the current status of VPT in the country, as well as efforts to ensure safe and legal access to this essential health service. This event emphasized the importance of ensuring that women and those capable of becoming pregnant have safe options for autonomous control over their bodies and the guarantee of their reproductive rights.
"The right that all women have to see their life projects realized begins to materialize through the exercise of autonomy over our bodies, the recognition of our diversities, and the elimination of barriers related to our sexuality and reproduction. This is a crucial step in ensuring the right to live a life free from gender-based violence and in building a world where gender equality is the rule, not the exception," stated Juliana Iregui, a national gender and gender-based violence consultant at PAHO.
This series of events in Colombia highlighted the importance of recognizing sexual and reproductive rights. From promoting education and access to contraception to discussing VPT, the country committed to making progress to improve the quality of life of its people and build a healthier future. These efforts are part of the project "Improving the Health of Women and Adolescents in Vulnerable Situations," supported by the Government of Canada.
