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In 2019-2024, we call on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to ensure that all Europeans can lead free and safe private and family lives, in a society free from sexism and discrimination. This paper lays down the areas where the EU has internal competences and where MEPs have the power to act.   Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have a critical role in promoting SRHR in EU external action and upholding the right of young women and men around the world to lead safe and dignified lives, free from coercion and harm. These are just some of the steps MEPs can take to champion SRHR.

Income for the year for the group increased by US$9.5 million (9%)to US$111.9 million due to a large increase in restricted income from US$30.3 million to US$54.1 million netted off against a decrease in unrestricted income of US$14.3 million.  Total group expenditure increased by US$21.6 million to US$114.6 million which led to a group net operating deficit (combined for unrestricted and restricted funds) for the year of US$2.6 million. Total unrestricted expenditure of US$74.8 million includes grants to member associations and partners (US$42.0 million), group secretariat expenditure (US$28.9 million), and fundraising costs(US$3.3 million). The net operating unrestricted deficit for the year was US$17.0 million (2017 surplus: US$8.8 million). Total restricted expenditure of US$39.8 million includes grants to member associations and partners (US$25.2 million), group secretariat expenditure (US$14.0 million), and fundraising costs (US$0.5 million). There was a restricted surplus of US$14.4 million.

We can't achieve gender equality without having access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).  SRHR underpin the health and well-being of all Europeans, from access to contraceptives and abortion care, sexual health services, relationships and sexuality education, to being protected from violence and coercion, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. However, access to SRHR varies greatly within and between EU Member States, which is particularly harmful to those in the most vulnerable situations. Furthermore, recent years have seen a rise of coercive movements both within and outside of the EU, with gender equality, women’s rights and reproductive freedom increasingly under attack. This paper lays down the steps to be taken to counter future such attempts that seek to restrict reproductive freedom and gender equality.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) underpin the health and well-being of all Europeans, from access to contraceptive and abortion care, sexual health services, and comprehensive sexuality education, to being protected from violence and coercion, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. When people are denied universal access to SRHR, achieving gender equality is impossible. Unfortunately, in 2019, access to these rights varies greatly within and between EU Member States (MS), which is particularly harmful to those in the most vulnerable situations. SRHR are increasingly under threat, with the rise of illiberal coercive movements against gender equality, women’s and LGBTI rights, and a shrinking civil society space within the EU. This paper lays down what MEPs can do to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights. It is available in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Romanian and Greek.

Young people are often denied care in societies where sex is taboo and parents can control their children’s access to medical providers. These challenges are amplified in conservative contexts where women and girls are made to feel uncomfortable when talking about contraception. The Tajikistan Family Planning Association (TFPA) has pioneered a phone application - available free of charge - that allows young people to gain crucial knowledge about modern contraception and sexually transmitted infections/HIV and connects them with health care providers. Through its innovative app, TFPA has created a safe space for young people to access stigma-free care, and to explore methods of sexual and reproductive self-care. This app has changed attitudes towards people living with STIs/HIV and inspired young people to have open and honest conversations about sexual and reproductive health care with their peers. "Before using the app, she thought STIs could only be caught by sex workers or people lacking morals, and that something like that could never happen to her or to her close friends. But now she realises that it can happen to anyone, even by accident. Now she tries to understand people who might have an STI." Young person in Tajikistan recounting an interview with a 19-year old woman as part of TFPA’s project