Sexual Reproductive Health Rights | Melodi Tamarzians | TEDxYouth@Maastricht

Summary

In this powerful talk, Melody, a Youth Ambassador for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), shares personal and global stories to highlight the importance of SRHR. She discusses the challenges faced by young people, particularly women and marginalized groups, regarding issues like menstruation, abortion, and sexual education. Through impactful examples from Ethiopia, Syria, and the Netherlands, she stresses the need for comprehensive sexual education, access to healthcare, and the right for individuals to make choices about their bodies. Melody calls for open conversations and greater support to ensure SRHR is a fundamental human right for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 SRHR (Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights) is a comprehensive field that includes sexual health, sexual diversity, abortion, and the right to make choices about one’s body.
• 😀 Melody Marcy’s passion for SRHR stemmed from a personal story shared by a Chilean gynecologist who was imprisoned for performing a life-saving abortion, illustrating the difficult intersection of medical ethics, law, and women’s rights.
• 😀 SRHR issues are not just limited to countries with poverty and social injustice; they are a global concern that impacts everyone, everywhere, every day.
• 😀 A lack of menstrual products can cause girls to miss school, which can eventually lead to them dropping out entirely, as demonstrated by the story of Nadia from Ethiopia who created organic sanitary pads to help other girls stay in school.
• 😀 Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is essential for empowering young people to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and sexual health, covering topics beyond just the biology of sex.
• 😀 Cultural taboos and misinformation about sexual health, such as the taboo around menstruation, remain significant obstacles for girls in some countries, preventing them from accessing necessary education and resources.
• 😀 Policies like the Mexico City Policy (introduced by Trump) can severely limit access to abortion services and information, making it harder for women in countries like Mozambique to access legal, safe, and free abortion services.
• 😀 Youssef, a young Syrian refugee, struggled with his identity and sexuality after fleeing the war, underscoring the importance of inclusive sexual education for young people facing uncertain futures.
• 😀 The stigma around abortion, especially in conservative cultures, can prevent open discussions about reproductive rights, even in countries where abortion is legal.
• 😀 SRHR is interconnected with other global issues like gender inequality, education, and economic independence, showing how access to reproductive health services can impact a person’s ability to achieve social and economic independence.
• 😀 Open conversations about sexual health and rights are crucial for dismantling harmful myths and enabling young people to make better, safer choices for themselves, without fear, shame, or misinformation.

Q & A

What inspired Melody Marcy to become passionate about Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)?

Melody was inspired by a story shared by a gynecologist from Chile during a bioethics course in Italy. The gynecologist had to make a difficult decision to perform an abortion, which led to her imprisonment, despite saving a woman's life. This story planted the seed for Melody's passion to advocate for SRHR, which is her focus as a youth ambassador.

What is the primary focus of SRHR, according to Melody Marcy?

SRHR stands for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and it encompasses sexual health, sexual diversity, abortion rights, and the right to make decisions about one’s own body, relationships, and family. It’s fundamentally about ensuring that everyone has the freedom to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

How did Nadia’s story from Ethiopia highlight the importance of SRHR?

Nadia’s story emphasized how lack of access to sanitary products can lead to girls missing school and dropping out altogether. Nadia had to use improvised materials due to unavailability of sanitary pads, leading to her dropping out of school. She later became an entrepreneur, creating organic pads to help other girls stay in school, illustrating the social and educational impact of SRHR issues.

What challenge did Yousef, a Syrian refugee, face regarding sexuality education in the Netherlands?

Yousef struggled with understanding his sexual identity and had many questions about sexuality, sexual health, and contraception. He lacked proper sexual education and struggled to find reliable information about safe sex, sexual health, and identity, which is a key concern for many young people who do not receive comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).

What does Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) encompass, and why is it important?

CSE is a holistic approach to sexuality education that goes beyond just the biology of sex. It includes topics such as sexual diversity, consent, contraception, sexual pleasure, body rights, and reproductive health. CSE is essential because it helps young people make informed decisions about their sexual health, identity, and relationships.

What did Melody Marcy discover about sexuality education in the Netherlands?

Melody found that, despite the Netherlands' progressive stance on sexual rights, sexuality education in some areas, such as the Bible Belt, is sometimes problematic. In some places, kids are taught misleading or harmful messages, such as trying to change someone's sexual orientation, which is not only inaccurate but also harmful to their development.

How does Melody Marcy connect SRHR to broader global issues?

SRHR is deeply connected to global issues like gender inequality, poverty, and social justice. For instance, when girls are denied education due to menstrual issues or early pregnancies, their social and economic independence is at risk. Similarly, limited access to contraception or sexual health services can lead to increased rates of sexually transmitted infections, which affect individuals’ health and life chances.

What are the consequences of unsafe abortions, according to Melody Marcy?

Unsafe abortions result in severe complications for millions of women annually, leading to 22,000 deaths each year. Melody highlights how the criminalization of abortion, even in countries where it is legally restricted, drives women to seek unsafe methods, endangering their health and lives.

How does Melody Marcy view the role of young people in advocating for SRHR?

Melody believes that young people are the key to driving change in SRHR. Since young people are the ones directly affected by these issues, they have the most insight into what is needed. She encourages youth to engage in discussions, advocate for comprehensive sexuality education, and fight for the rights to make informed decisions about their bodies.

What is Melody Marcy’s message regarding the stigma around menstruation and sexual health?

Melody urges everyone to normalize discussions about menstruation and sexual health. She highlights that menstruation is a natural biological process, yet it is often treated as taboo, especially in some countries like Ethiopia. She calls for a shift in attitude, encouraging people to make menstruation and sexual health a regular topic of conversation, reducing stigma and fostering understanding.