5th RCPD: Civil Society Political Declaration

Haz click aquí para leer en español.

Political Declaration of the Social Forum of Feminist networks, organizations and collectives at the Fifth Regional Conference on Population and Development

Cartagena, Colombia, July 3rd 2024.- From a feminist, human rights, youth, anti-racist, anti-ableism and intersectionality perspective, it is essential to address the diverse and complex realities of all human groups without discrimination. The networks and organizations of feminist, indigenous, Afro- descendant, lesbian, transgender, youth, elderly, disabled, sex workers, women with HIV, all human rights defenders and committed to the fulfilment of the Program of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and all international commitments emanating from it, we are present today to highlight:

That the Montevideo Consensus has been a crucial framework for advancing the protection and promotion of human rights in our region. We have seen improvements in access to sexual and reproductive health, inclusive education and political participation of women and other historically marginalized groups.

We especially recognize the advances in the legal frameworks that guarantee access to sexual and reproductive rights to transform them into public policies, as in the case of: decriminalization of abortion in some countries in the region, comprehensive sexuality education, gender parity, access to justice and protection in cases of gender-based violence, and budgets earmarked for exceptional cases.

However, these advances are insufficient, do not cover historically excluded populations and have been implemented unevenly and slowly during these almost eleven years. In fact, setbacks and threats of loss of rights have been identified in many countries of the region. We are alarmed by the persistent inequality that exacerbates violence and the lack of access to rights. The prevalent conditions of violence against women, young people, adolescents and girls, in all their diversity, as well as against people with disabilities, both in the family and in the institutional sphere, are unacceptable.

Download and read the full declaration here: