Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

👧 On International Day of the Girl Child, we stand for #CSE4All! 📢 CSE enables girls to understand their bodies, make informed choices, and build respectful healthy relationships based on consent. Despite misinformation and stigma, CSE is vital to empowering girls and provides them with tools to identify abuse and coercion, set boundaries, and seek for help. #SRHR4all

💼 APA is seeking for a consultant to support the development of a new Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Framework for the network and to showcase our collective impact and collaborative efforts. The process will include assessing the current Results Framework and Theory of Change, Strategic Plan, and other related strategic documents. The purpose of this consultancy is to implement a participatory methodology to support and lead APA staff, Steering Committee, network membership and partners, in a participatory planning process, ensuring a sense of ownership and engaging meaningfully with key stakeholders. 🔗 Read ToR for more info : https://buff.ly/4eIAnhy 1.       SCOPE OF WORK The consultant will work with the Executive Director and the International Steering Committee to undertake the following responsibilities: Lead the APA leadership team, membership and partners and informed by the 2023 Results Framework, design a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework to track the impact, reach and approach of our work and facilitate learning. 2.       Outputs • MEL Framework, with recommendations for how to implement monitoring activities across all levels of APA’s policy and advocacy work and integrate this into wider network activities and processes. • Short summary report on the key findings from the consultancy and discussions with stakeholders across the organization. • Debrief with APA CO to discuss process, tool usage, and outputs/ refining results 3.       TIMEFRAME: to be completed by 31 December 2024 4.       REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES The candidate(s) should bring to the position: • A minimum of 5-10 years of experience in strategic planning, results frameworks including theory of change and MEL, preferably with NGOs • Expertise with MEL for advocacy, civil society networks and/or with community-based organizations is strongly preferred. • Knowledge of participatory, gender-sensitive and inclusive MERL approaches and methodologies • Knowledge of MEL trends and successful practices in the sector, particularly relating to policy and advocacy work • Knowledge on SRHR and feminist approaches (asset) • Ability to work across contexts • Strong written and interpersonal communications skills in English; Location: Consultants can be based anywhere – project can be completed remotely If interested, please send the following to join@asiapacificalliance.org with “MEL Framework consultancy” in the header: • A Cover Letter and CV outlining previous experience and including two recent references; • Technical and financial proposal (including proposed methodology, workplan and justification of daily rate). Deadline: 25 October 2024

📢 Check out our latest blog! We had an amazing experience collaborating with the Asia Feminist LBQ Network on a powerful workshop focused on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Self-Care, and Well-Being for LBQ Women in Asia. Read about the challenges, key takeaways, and strategies discussed to empower LBQ communities across the region. 🔗 Read more in our new blog!: https://buff.ly/4dCNBuH #SRHR4LBQ #SRHR4ALL #APA4SRHR #LBQ

🌿APA, observes #WorldMentalHealthDay with importance because #SRHR is interdependent to one’s mental health throughout one's life. Restricting sexual and reproductive health and rights can lead to increased depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It is crucial to take a comprehensive approach to SRHR and include conversations around mental health. #APA4SRHR #SRHR4all #MentalHealthAwareness

🔦APA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT🌟 APA Member IPAS Nepal organized a two-day Natural Leaders Review and Reflection training in August. Natural leaders are the right holders/representatives from the marginalized communities who have been selected as volunteers based on their willingness to work in the field of SRHR/safe abortion. Thirty-four individuals across four districts of Karnali Province and fourteen individuals from three districts of Lumbini Province participated. The event was facilitated by Ipas Nepal, PASS Nepal and KIDS. The primary objective was to share the experiences, achievements, and challenges faced by Natural Leaders in their communities and equip them with the skills to advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in various forums. Additionally, the program aimed to motivate and boost the self-confidence of Natural Leaders for sustainable advocacy on SRHR, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and climate change. The event was successful in both provinces, with Natural Leaders sharing their learnings and experiences of self-mobilization within their communities. They recounted various success stories and case studies related to SRHR. Participants were updated on SRHR rights, components of SRHR, GBV, and climate change. Mock sessions were conducted to enhance their capacity to lead Community Action, Reflection, and Transformation (CART) sessions. Read: https://buff.ly/3TNT0b5 WOREC #APA4SRHR #SRHR4all

✊APA ED was happy to participate in the Regenerate Launch on 4-5 October, a new CS platform supporting key and vulnerable women and girls and people of diverse sexuality to advocate for gender just and sexual rights-affirmative health policies and programmes in the contexts of HIV, TB, and malaria in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. #SRHR4all #APA4SRHR

🌍With a powerful pledge of $350M, governments and philanthropies are taking a bold step to enhance family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) globally! On the sidelines of the Summit of the Future and the 79th UN General Assembly, this event—co-hosted by UNFPA, the Gates Foundation, FP2030, and CIFF—brought together leaders to advocate for sustainable investments in SRH. 💰Key donors like the UK, Canada, and Spain committed to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, helping provide modern contraceptives and maternal health supplies to low-income countries. Government representatives from Madagascar, Nepal, and the Kyrgyz Republic also announced domestic financial commitments to invest in SRH services in their countries. This decision aligns with the newly adopted Pact for the Future, emphasizing sustainable investments in SRH and political will for future progress. Read more: https://buff.ly/47UA00q #SRHR4all FP2030 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

🔦APA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT🌟 Since 2022, APA Member Caram Asia and its Project Partner, SPEAK Trust in #Pakistan have been actively supporting migrants living with HIV in the country. Through regular "Self-Support Group Meetings" under CARAM Asia’s ongoing regional project "Prevention & Advocacy on Migrant's HIV Issues, Enhancing Access to Health Services and Promoting HIV Positive Migrant's Rights in Asia", rapid assessments were conducted to gauge the group's knowledge on SRHR, family planning, HIV, and contraception. The assessment revealed limited knowledge about SRHR, contraception, and family planning among migrants compounded by cultural barriers, stigma around condom use, and challenges in obtaining condoms due to fear of police in destination countries. Recently, CARAM Asia, through its project partner SPEAK Trust, continued to hold meetings with Female Self-Support Group (FSSG) to discuss the unique struggles faced by HIV-positive women, focusing on health challenges, social stigma, economic hardships, and the psychological impact of living with HIV. The successful establishment of self-support groups for both male and female migrants in Pakistan ensures active participation, reflecting their growing confidence, trust in one another, and prompt the development of effective coping mechanisms. #APA4SRHR #SRHR4all #HIV

✨Part 2/2- Quarterly SRHR News & Policy Updates in the Asia-Pacific✨ 📣Here are the latest news and policy updates with👍exciting strides forward and🚫concerning setbacks in SRHR this quarter. 📆July 👍In #Indonesia, new regulations extended abortion under exceptional conditions from 6 weeks to 14 weeks gestation. 👎Although this extension is welcomed, new regulation additionally requires abortion seekers who are rape victims to submit document with police recognition of the assault when previously, this document could be obtained from medical professionals. Read: https://buff.ly/3Yva1Kx 👎A major change to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) of #Australia was passed through parliament that will severely cut the amount of disability support scheme, including the removal of sex work services. Read: https://buff.ly/4dhYwK6 👍#SouthKorea's supreme court upheld a ruling that same-sex partners were eligible for spousal benefits under health insurance despite the government’s lack of legislation recognizing same-sex marriage. Read: https://buff.ly/3TAp7uX 👍#Japan's high court ruled that trans woman should be able to legally change gender without undergoing invasive gender affirming surgery that will eliminate reproductive function. Activists are hopeful this will add pressure on the government to revise the law. Read: https://buff.ly/3ZqpDzt 👍#Japan’s Supreme Court ordered the government to provide compensation to approximately a dozen victims who were forcibly sterilized under the now-defunct Eugenics Protection Law, that grossly violated the human rights of people with disabilities from having children. An estimated 25,000 people were forcibly sterilized between 1950s and 1990s. Read: https://buff.ly/3XzIuW0 👍The SWING Foundation submitted a proposal backed by 14,484 voters to repeal #Thailand’s 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act in July. The proposal argues that the law push sex work underground while depriving workers of labor protections and healthcare and subsequently contributing to human trafficking. Although the late Prime minister promised to legalize sex work, the newly appointed prime minister Paetongtarn is yet to state her position on the issue. Read more: https://buff.ly/4drBJvo

✨Part 1/2- Quarterly SRHR News & Policy Updates in the Asia-Pacific✨ 📣Here are the latest news and policy updates with👍exciting strides forward and🚫concerning setbacks in SRHR this quarter. 📆September 👍Same-sex marriage legislation in #Thailand was promulgated allowing couples to get legally married from 2025 January. Read: https://buff.ly/4egIkdf 👍The #Australian government announced that the 2026 Census will include questions on gender identity and sexual orientation after its initial decision to exclude them caused backlash. Read: https://buff.ly/4cYbo8c 📆August 👍The Finance Ministry of #India announced that LGBTIQA+ couples can freely open joint bank accounts and designate their partners as beneficiaries. Read: https://buff.ly/4g6AGUj 👎#NorthKorea is intensifying its crackdown on abortion rights. The country has long banned abortions, but doctors getting caught performing abortions are facing harsher penalties. Read: https://buff.ly/47mfiXd 👎The #Fiji government announced a 33% increase in new HIV cases compared to 2023. There are concerns that young people and marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted and calls to implement a comprehensive harm reduction approach to combat drug use that is contributing to the rate of new HIV infections. Read: https://lnkd.in/giVG6d5A 👎Activists filed a petition to #India's Supreme Court challenging the ban on blood donation that discriminates people by their gender identity, sexual orientation and profession. The restriction that prohibits sex workers and the LGBTIQA+ community from blood donation bars them from giving blood to their partners and families. Read: https://buff.ly/4dI9vxG 👎Despite abortion already being criminalized, #Iran escalated their restriction by establishing anti-abortion centers in 250 cities that aims to intervene and deter patients considering an abortion. Read: https://buff.ly/4c2BNB9 👍The Supreme Court of #Nepal ruled that trans activist Rukshana Kapali should be legally recognized as a woman without being required to submit any medical verification, setting a precedent for trans rights. Tans people requesting for legal gender change were typically forced to undergo surgery then subject to invasive examinations for legal gender change. Read: https://buff.ly/3WSqrLV #SRHR4all #APA4SRHR