Advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights for all is the theme of the International Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ISRHR) Consortium of which Burnet Institute is a founding member.

The Institute is one of nine organisations that will be involved with the ISRHR Consortium booth dedicated to discussing issues around sexual and reproductive health and rights at the AIDS 2014 booth at the Global village this week.

Burnet Institute women’s and children’s health specialist, Dr Elissa Kennedy will be at the booth at various times during the conference to discuss her work.

“Our work looks at how to improve young people’s access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services in the Asia and the Pacific regions,” Dr Kennedy said.

“We work with young people, local organisations, governments and United Nations’ agencies to improve adolescents’ access to essential sexual and reproductive health information and youth-friendly health services, including strategies to prevent early and unintended pregnancy.”

In Vanuatu, the Institute works with Wan Smolbag Theatre to better understand and address the barriers that limit young people’s access to sexual health information and services.

A study conducted with over 340 young people, service providers and policymakers revealed that while young people had access to information about HIV, there was a significant unmet need for comprehensive information and life skills-based education addressing the broader context of young people’s sexual and reproductive health.

The ISRHR Consortium is located at booth umber 633 in the Global Village at AIDS 2014.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the ISRHR Consortium.