A renowned population and policy think-tank is set to organize a large international conference on reproductive and sexual health and rights in Yogyakarta in October this year. The conference is part of the biennial Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, which was first held in Manila, the Philippines, in 2001.

“The regular conference is held to raise people’s awareness on issues concerning reproductive and sexual health and rights,” said Muhadjir Darwin, the event’s chairperson, who is also an executive at the Center for Population and Policy Studies at Gadjah Mada University.

The three-day event will run from Oct. 19.

In organizing the event, the center is expected to join forces with Ford Foundation, the National Family Planning Board, and the United Nations Population Fund.

The upcoming conference in the ancient city of Yogyakarta is themed: “Claiming sexual and reproductive rights in Asia and Pacific societies”.

In the conference, the participants assess the progress of government policies relating to providing reproductive health services, and respecting and protecting sexual rights for all.

Some 2,000 participants are expected to attend the event, including government officials, NGOs representatives and researchers. —JP

Source: The Jakarta Post, 7 February 2011