My Voice Counts! Sex Education Campaign - United States
Created by and for young people in the United States, this online activism campaign demanded comprehensive sex education that included information about contraception as well as abstinence. The campaign, which was launched by Advocates for Youth in 2002, brought together youth working in the field of sexual health to create a movement to fight for "honest sex education" in USA schools. The campaign's first goal was to gather 50,000 signatures - by November 3 2003 - on a national petition in support of comprehensive sex education. Throughout the year that followed, youth activists organised community-wide conversations on sex education, using community forums, speak-outs, rallies, and media activities such as letters to the editor and press conferences - all culminating in a national advocacy day. The goal of My Voice Counts! was to show parents and teachers as well as federal, state, and local policy makers that young people have a right to the information needed to make responsible decisions about having sex.
Communication Strategies
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Congressman Jim Greenwood (R-PA) were reintroducing legislation that would provide states with federal funds for sex education that includes information about abstinence as well as and medically accurate information about contraception. The Family Life Education Act (FLEA) offers an alternative to abstinence-only-until-marriage programmes. The My Voice Counts Campaign was an effort to ensure that federal and local policy makers understand that young people across the country support comprehensive sex education in general and FLEA in particular.
The campaign's key strategy was the articulation of what young activists call their right to know. They argues that policy makers are intentionally censoring key facts by limiting sex education to messages that urge abstinence. They claimed that knowledge is power, and that effective decisions come from accurate and honest information. Acting responsibly (that is, acting to protect against unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV infection), they say, is impossible in conditions of ignorance. Activists point out that specific youth groups are in particular need of comprehensive information - youth of colour face an increased risk for HIV/STIs and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth (many of whom will never marry) need to be taught how to keep sexually healthy throughout their lives. The campaign involved presenting a united youth voice to politicians who might otherwise support abstinence-only programmes.
The internet was a central strategy for making young people's voices heard in the national debate on sex education. An electronic animated public service announcement (PSA) that featured music, statistics, and a clear statement of young activists' demands was at the centre of this effort. Young people in the United States were encouraged to sign a petition. Beyond the petition, a campaign toolkit [PDF] was offered to young activists who planned to organise community-based events in preparation for a National Day of Action. For example, young activists were encouraged to conduct a community forum with a catchy title (such as "Respect My Right to Act Responsibly!" or "Youth Taking Action, Demanding Knowledge"). The toolkit outlines other strategies, such as keeping the forum brief enough to retain the attention of the audience and featuring no more than 3 presenters, each speaking for 12 to 15 minutes. A question-and-answer session, coordinated by a moderator, should follow the presentations to enable audience participation. Advocates for Youth also encouraged other organisations to sponsor and participate in these grassroots activities.
The campaign's key strategy was the articulation of what young activists call their right to know. They argues that policy makers are intentionally censoring key facts by limiting sex education to messages that urge abstinence. They claimed that knowledge is power, and that effective decisions come from accurate and honest information. Acting responsibly (that is, acting to protect against unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV infection), they say, is impossible in conditions of ignorance. Activists point out that specific youth groups are in particular need of comprehensive information - youth of colour face an increased risk for HIV/STIs and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth (many of whom will never marry) need to be taught how to keep sexually healthy throughout their lives. The campaign involved presenting a united youth voice to politicians who might otherwise support abstinence-only programmes.
The internet was a central strategy for making young people's voices heard in the national debate on sex education. An electronic animated public service announcement (PSA) that featured music, statistics, and a clear statement of young activists' demands was at the centre of this effort. Young people in the United States were encouraged to sign a petition. Beyond the petition, a campaign toolkit [PDF] was offered to young activists who planned to organise community-based events in preparation for a National Day of Action. For example, young activists were encouraged to conduct a community forum with a catchy title (such as "Respect My Right to Act Responsibly!" or "Youth Taking Action, Demanding Knowledge"). The toolkit outlines other strategies, such as keeping the forum brief enough to retain the attention of the audience and featuring no more than 3 presenters, each speaking for 12 to 15 minutes. A question-and-answer session, coordinated by a moderator, should follow the presentations to enable audience participation. Advocates for Youth also encouraged other organisations to sponsor and participate in these grassroots activities.
Development Issues
Youth, Sex Education, Right to Information, HIV/AIDS.
Key Points
According to organisers, every day 10,000 USA youth acquire an STI, 2,400 get pregnant, and 55 contract HIV. Compared to other industrialised nations, the United States has the highest rates of STIs, including HIV, and unintended pregnancies among youth. Activists claim that the US government's response has been to fund abstinence-only-until-marriage programmes that censor information; one-third of all secondary schools in the United States prohibit teachers from answering students' questions about the prevention of pregnancy and STIs beyond discussing abstinence. They say that since 1996, more than half a billion (US) dollars have been allocated to censor sex education.
Advocates for Youth argues that there are no data to support proponents' claims that abstinence-only-until marriage programmes are effective. They say that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Institute of Medicine, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and over 100 other medical and professional organisations support comprehensive sex education. Further, they cite the findings of a nationally representative poll: over 82% of students and 90% of parents agreed that young people need information about safer sex.
Advocates for Youth creates programmes and advocates for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates provides information, training, and strategic assistance to youth-serving organisations, policy makers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and the developing world.
Advocates for Youth argues that there are no data to support proponents' claims that abstinence-only-until marriage programmes are effective. They say that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Institute of Medicine, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and over 100 other medical and professional organisations support comprehensive sex education. Further, they cite the findings of a nationally representative poll: over 82% of students and 90% of parents agreed that young people need information about safer sex.
Advocates for Youth creates programmes and advocates for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates provides information, training, and strategic assistance to youth-serving organisations, policy makers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and the developing world.
Sources
Letter sent from Nicole Cheetham to The Communication Initiative on October 30 2003; and Campaign page on Advocates for Youth website.
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