IWHC -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 1/25/2002
Last Visited: 10/19/2002
In March 2000, Jane Fonda asked us what she could do to help ensure that the five-year review would reaffirm commitments already made to adolescent health and rights, as well as further them.Because Ms. Fonda has a deep commitment to young women and established a teen pregnancy prevention program in Atlanta, Georgia, we proposed that she produce a documentary film profiling three adolescent health programs that are supported by IWHC's Africa Program (see pages 16-21).The video, Generation 2000: Changing Girls' Realities, employs powerful images and interviews with Nigerian teenagers, teachers, parents, and government officials -- including the President and a top Muslim leader in the country.It tells a compelling story, not only about the need for information and services for adolescents but also about programs that work effectively to meet those needs.
We then organized, with the UN Foundation, a reception at the United Nations for more than 375 government and UN dignitaries and leaders of the NGO community.Held on the night before final negotiations began, the reception showcased positive images of adolescents, and political and community support for their access to sexuality education and health services.UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, President of the UN Foundation Timothy Wirth, and Ms. Fonda spoke to the gathering.
Since then, we have distributed the film to more than three hundred colleague organizations around the world, and have received favorable responses from, among others, an editor at The New York Times and staff at the World Bank.Throughout the conference negotiations, we made a concerted effort to reach the press.More than 25 stories on the film and reception appeared in the media, including coverage in USA Today and on NBC'sToday Show and Oprah.
US Foreign Policy
Right-wing groups expend great effort to curtail US funding for reproductive rights and health internationally.