Devex: Opinion: How to build a SRHR movement
Robin Gorna, writer, advocate, strategist, and former lead of SheDecides support team

“…Here are some of the lessons learned from those early days [of the SheDecides movement]. As the strategy emerged, champions debated whether the movement should focus principally on bad policies and laws emerging across the globe; or on the U.S., especially the global gag rule that had sparked the movement; or on access to safe abortion. The decision was clear. We needed to focus on what we want to achieve: a world where she decides. … Champions agreed never to lose sight of the urgent focus on safe abortion, and the related, highly politically charged urgency of comprehensive sexuality education. … Today we look at the achievements of [the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) that took place in Cairo 25 years ago] and commit to achieving even more by the time the world gathers in Nairobi for the ICPD25 Summit in November. Equally important is to shine the spotlight on Beijing and next year’s 25th anniversary. The Beijing Platform for Action took a broader look at gender equality. It reaffirmed the fundamental principle that the human rights of women and girls are an inalienable, integral, and indivisible part of universal human rights — promoting and protecting the fundamental freedoms of all women throughout their lifecycle. … [L]et’s embrace the new normal of vibrant young people from all around the world who see the urgency of protecting the fundamental human rights of every person — no matter their gender — to decide what we do with our bodies…” (7/11).