From choice, a world of possibilities

What the Beijing Platform for Action means to me

For me, Beijing means that the women of my generation, which includes my wife, nieces and my sisters, will have better opportunities in life than my own mother and grandmother who both had ten children each and by force of circumstance remained as housewives for much of their lives. With Beijing, I think that the women of today can aspire to greater things and be the persons they want to be. That will make this world a better place for both women and men, including myself.

Romeo, Philippines (ESEAOR)

What the Beijing Platform for Action means to me

I’ve never known my world without opportunities. As a young youth activist, my possibilities have never seemed limited in Barbados, or even the Caribbean. A more critical analysis undermines this superficial belief. The Beijing Platform for Action shows all the flaws and superficial fixes that many governments have hidden behind. The BFPA is like a highlighter across the face of gender programs that are inadequate and antique, it proves that there is still much work to be done in women’s issues.

LaToya, Barbados (BFPA)

Juan Octavo Lu Brown: Provincia de Colon, Panama, 23 years old

Juan Octavo Lu Brown: Provincia de Colon, Panama, 23 years old

Juan Lu is involved in the Mesoamerica Coalition and Works with  a group of young people in his country.

“[This helps us] understand the situation of each country. We are going through the same situation. Young people from other countries are going through the same circumstances. We are together, we support each other, we stay in touch. We must disseminate the experience ... convince more young people to participate.”

Roberto Xavier Aguilera Montoya: Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 20 years old

Roberto Xavier Aguilera Montoya: Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 20 years old

Roberto started working with ASHONPLAFA 4 years ago. He really likes the Kiosko project. “I've always liked to learn, not only for me”

About CONCASIDA: "We can demand rights and fight for them. Being here to fight for rights on behalf of other young people in the country… we develop ourselves.”

Humberto Lopez Gomez: Oaxaca, Mexico, 23 years old

Humberto Lopez Gomez: Oaxaca, Mexico, 23 years old

Humberto likes to spend his free time with his family…going into town, resting and reading. He started as a volunteer 5 years ago in Gente Joven and hasn’t left. He soon started participating in events outside of his town and is now the coordinator for Gente Joven in his region.

Peer education: Nothing for us, without us

Empowering Young People

When Stefani Mills Powers began working as a sex worker in Trinidad and Tobago eight years ago, she took risks. But “after being educated about the diseases that could be spread by unprotected oral sex,” the mid-twenty year-old transgender female says, “I took a serious stand to always use protection.”

Health on wheels in the Dominican Republic

Reaching the most vulnerable populations

Neuci's Story: Health in a Brazilian Favela

Neuci and her daughters Rebecca and Mariana, live in the favela of Cachoeirinha, population 150,000, outside Rio de Janiero.

“BEMFAM is the sun and the sunshine needs to spread. The rays must reach more people…

Giovanna, Peru

Giovanna Carrillo is the leader of the comprehensive sexuality education advocacy project at INPPARES, IPPF/WHR's Member Association in Peru.

Yvrose, Haiti

Yvrose is 36 years old and has an 11-year-old son and a 6-year old daughter. She is a civil worker at one of Port-au-Prince’s police stations.

"PROFAMIL has been very important in my life—without it I would have nowhere to go and would probably have had six children by now. I’ve been coming to the PROFAMIL clinic for over 10 years. My friends told me where they went to get family planning advice, and I, too, wanted the power to determine how many children I would have and when.