Political advocacy

Why Advocacy?

Deciding over your body and your sexuality is a basic human right. Moreover, it is a human right to not be discriminated against. All people have the right to decide their sexual preference, have a private life, and freely choose a partner without being subject to discrimination. It is also a basic human right to not be subjected to torture–including rape. At the 1994 United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo it was determined that reproductive rights, including the right to the best possible sexual and reproductive health, is a basic human right. It was also decided that governments are responsible for ensuring that women and men have access to information, education and services, which are a prerequisite for attaining good sexual health. Still, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are far from reality for millions of people throughout the world. This is in large part due to insufficient political will and controversy concerning subjects such as women and young people’s sexuality, abortion and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)-persons rights.

What does RFSU do?

RFSU’s objective is to influence Swedish, and international politics in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Sweden, the EU and globally.

Advocacy is carried out through long-term and continuous political dialogue with target groups that have been identified as important for driving the SRHR agenda forward. These efforts include the building and maintenance of contacts with civil servants and decision makers. RFSU provides research and outlines of our argumentation, writes debate articles and speeches and provides expert advice in preparation for meetings and negotiations. In addition, we organise conferences, seminars and study trips. See examples below.