Book Description

In this roundtable discussion, three long-time international activists in the field of reproductive and sexual rights discuss the challenges facing the feminist women's health movement ten years after the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Their conversation reflects on the nature of the global context in 1994-95 and how that context has changed a decade later, especially in light of growing conservatism and the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. They consider the successes and limitations of the Cairo agenda and the strategic importance of taking a long-term view. In particular, they emphasise the need for strengthening health systems worldwide, advocating for better and more woman-friendly use of existing resources and building broader coalitions. Much of the conversation explores points of commonality and difference between feminist groups on the one hand, and medical and family planning organisations on the other, as well as ways of utilising such venues as the World Social Forum. Points of greatest promise internationally include the growing youth movement for sexual and reproductive health and rights and the potential for opening up larger alliances around sexual and bodily rights with HIV/AIDS activists, sex workers, people living with HIV and AIDS and human rights organisations. © 2005 Reproductive Health Matters. All rights reserved.