Government of the Republic of Serbia
The Sexual and Reproductive Health Association – SRH Serbia, with support by the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Minister without Portfolio Charged with Demographics and Population Policy, the Institute for Public Health of Serbia, and healthcare and social institutions and local self-governments, is starting the project “My Body, My Rights” on the reproductive health of young Roma women, with the goal of education, empowerment, and learning to properly plan a family. The project is part of a global project “MSD for Mothers”, financed by the “Merck, Sharp & Dohme” company (MSD), lasting for three years and implemented in Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.
The implementation of the project in Serbia, occurring in Belgrade, Obrenovac, Zaječar and Pirot, covers cooperation with partner organizations, healthcare institutions and local self-governments. The project is supported by the International Federation for Planned Parenthood – IFPP, and in addition to education, it will deal with the rights of the Roma population, increasing the availability and quality of healthcare services in the field of sexual and reproductive health, and the prevention of unwanted, particularly juvenile pregnancies.
In addition to increasing the level of information, access to healthcare, educational materials and contraceptives, the project involves the continued activity of 20 trained peer educators, supporting youth in Roma communities and providing them with any necessary help or information of importance for sexual and reproductive health, and the rights they have.
Furthermore, a free-of-charge mobile phone app will also be produced in the Serbian and Roma languages, providing information on sexual and reproductive health, rights, contraception and family planning, primarily intended for youth aged 16 to 25.
The Minister of the Government of the Republic of Serbia charged with demographics and population policy Prof. Dr Slavica Đukić Dejanović stated that the Government of the Republic of Serbia recognizes as special priorities the rights of minority groups, the increase of the availability and improvement of healthcare services in the field of sexual and reproductive health and family planning, and is actively working on improving these fields. “The project we are talking about today is an example of successful cooperation between representatives of domestic and international partners, representatives of the state, local self-government units, private partners, the non-government sector and the expert community, and dedicated individuals and representatives of minorities, also representing a model for the achievement of the 17 sustainable development goals contained in the 2030 Agenda. In our joint efforts to improve the living conditions for all, our Roma citizens are an important factor of social progress that cannot and will not be left behind, in accordance with the main motto of the 2030 Agenda.”
Source: www.mdpp.gov.rs
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