Themed ‘Family Planning is a Human Right: Universal Access to SRH’, the Digital Campaign ensued for ten days, culminating in the Facebook Live event, which saw enriching and lively discussions among the speakers and the audience. It was moderated by Ms Anjali Nayyar, EVP, Global Health Strategies, and the speakers included Ms Prabhleen Tuteja, Director Programmes, The YP Foundation; Mr Vinoj Manning, CEO, Ipas Development Foundation, and Mr VS Chandrashekar, CEO, Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are an integral part of the right to the highest attainable standard of health and integrity related to other human rights, which countries are obliged to uphold under international law. During the event, speakers discussed the importance of viewing family planning and access to SRHR as a human right and shared the role that youth can play.

Ms Prabhleen Tuteja, Director Programmes, The YP Foundation, said: “Youth cannot be ignored while making family planning decisions, they form an integral part. However, provider bias is a major hindrance towards making SRH services accessible for youth. The youth bulge is significant in India and getting them together to stabilise India’s population is crucial”.

Mr Vinoj Manning highlighted the need for balanced pre- during- and post- counselling for women seeking contraceptive services. In addition, it was emphasised that we recognise the need for contraception among the unmarried, supplementing family planning interventions with contraceptive access.

The event was streamed at Pratigya Campaign’s Facebook and Twitter channels @PratigyaRights and @RightsPratigya respectively. The Facebook Live event received 940+ views, reached 2000+ people and was shared over 30 times.