09 Jan Promotion of the research results from the study HOW EQUAL AND SAFE IS THE MACEDONIAN YOUTH IN THEIR SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXPERIENCES
The Coalition SEXUAL AND HEALTH RIGHTS OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES has the honor of inviting you to the promotion of the research results from the study HOW EQUAL AND SAFE IS THE MACEDONIAN YOUTH IN THEIR SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXPERIENCES – HBSCM Findings, 2014 ‒ Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Study in Macedonia.
The promotion will be held on 11. 01.2017, Wednesday, at 11.00h, in Hotel Holiday Inn.
The research results will be presented by Lina Kjostarova Unkovska. Address to the guests will be also made by Irena Cvetkovich, Executive Director of the Coalition SHRMC.
This publication is based on the research results on sexual behavior, interests and protection of Macedonian youth (15 years), gathered by direct participation of school children in the international longitudinal HBSC study. The Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Study (HBSCМ) is a product of a WHO international collaborative study (HBSC), implemented in 44 countries in Europe and North America. Its mission is monitoring the wellbeing of 11-, 13- and 15-year old children and health behaviours, with a focus on the social health determinants and the conditions for better children’s health from different environments, opportunities and rights. Its task is to inform the key policy-makers and actors on youth health in order to create equal conditions for better health of all children in the community.
The results gathered from this study are first of its kind in our country, and their importance is even more salient if one takes into consideration that subjects on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health in youth are being barely and selectively discussed, and that there is still a lack of willingness to discuss openly and with arguments gender-identity issues, gender affiliation and expression, as well as sexual orientation, subjects that can hardly be overlooked.
The Study was conducted because of the fact that in education there exists a trend of avoidance regarding subjects on sexuality, which consequently carries high risks for the sexual and reproductive health in young people, as well as their mental, emotional and social health. However, education itself must act as the main initiator in the destruction of taboos and lifting the veil, as well as placing these topics high among the priorities for equality of better youth health in Macedonia.
Henceforth, opening a public debate on these subjects is first and crucial step towards improving the wellbeing of youth in Macedonia. It would be our greatest honor if you join us on this study’s promotion and share your comments and opinions, so that we can all jointly work on improving the situation with the human rights and health of youth in Macedonia.