International Expert Consultation, Mexico, May 2006
In May 2006 the Head Research of Rutgers Nisso Groep, Ine Vanwesenbeeck, took part in an International Expert Consultation in Oaxaca, Mexico, on 'Promotion of Sexual Health: Advancing Sexual Health in the Millenium'.
The consultation was organised by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) and starting point was the WAS Montreal Declaration on sexual health (see http://www.siecus.org/was_declaration.pdf ). In this declaration, eight recommendations for the advancement of sexual health are given. One of those reads: Eliminate all forms of sexual violence and abuse. Sexual health cannot be attained until people are free of stigma, discrimination, sexual abuse, coercion, and violence. Several of the participants in Oaxaca were asked to write background papers on the various recommendations in the Montreal Declaration, and Ine Vanwesenbeeck wrote the one on this recommendation to eradicate sexual violence. The purpose of the meeting was to connect the WAS Montreal recommendations to the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). The output of the meeting will be an extensive document arguing the interconnectedness between the enhancement of sexual health and the pursuit of the MDGs. This document is now still 'work in progress'. When finished, it will be used for advocacy towards the advancement of sexual health on various levels of (international) governmental and NGO operations. It goes without saying that, as soon as this document (fully or partly) is ready to be shared with the world, Rutgers Nisso Groep will share it with you.
