The Complicated Political Road Refugees Travel to Access Reproductive Health

As a part of the Camden Conference Planned Parenthood and United Nation Population Fund share firsthand experiences with the struggles refugees face

WHAT: On Thursday, November 17th, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) will present The Complicated Political Road Refugees Travel to Access Reproductive Health as part of a series of community events held in conjunction with the 30th Annual Camden Conference–Refugees and Global Migration: Humanity’s Crisis — which will be held in February 2017 in Camden, ME. The panel discussion will bring the perspectives of global reproductive health experts and local community organizations to discuss the reproductive health needs of women and girls impacted by humanitarian crises—no matter who they are or where they live—and implications for U.S. policies and programs.  The event will also feature a photography show for World Refugee Day, highlighting some of the work across the globe.

As the largest donor of international family planning and reproductive health programs and with President Obama’s commitment to accept at least 100,000 new refugees, the U.S. has a significant role to play.

Globally, women and girls often face a multitude of human rights violations and barriers to accessing health care. These failures to fulfill their health and human rights—in particular sexual and reproductive health and rights—are compounded by the humanitarian crises driving the global influx of refugees. Women and girls in humanitarian crises face an increased risk of a number of challenges, including gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and maternal mortality. Meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls is an essential component of the response to the global refugee crisis, whether in refugee camps abroad or for resettled communities here in the United States.

WHEN:            Thursday, November 17, 2016
                        6:30 PM

WHERE:           Rines Auditorium, Portland Public Library
                     
WHO:  Hosted by the Portland Public Library, the evening discussion will feature representatives from Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Planned Parenthood Global Advocacy and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Speakers include:

Rachel Moynihan, Advocacy and Communications Specialist, Washington Office, UNFPA
In her role in the Washington office, Rachel serves as a liaison with U.S. Administration, Members of Congress, civil servants and key NGO partners and will share the UNFPA's role providing sexual and reproductive health care in humanitarian crises including stories of a Syrian refugee camp in Zaatari, Jordan where UNFPA is supporting the provision of reproductive and maternal health care.

Jenny Vanyur, Manager of Global Advocacy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Jenny Vanyur provides support for PPFA’s global advocacy policy and legislative priorities, and manages the Global Youth Fellowships; engages PPFA divisions, affiliates, and youth advocates in advocacy at the United Nations; coordinates U.S.-based global advocacy grassroots campaigns; and manages overall program operations for the global advocacy team. Jenny currently serves as the co-chair of the Youth Health and Rights Coalition