Doc. 9665

22 January 2003

The involvement of men and young men in reproductive health

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mrs Kósá Kovács and others

1.       The Assembly expresses concern that sexual and reproductive health and rights are not priority issues of national and European budgets and agendas.

2.       It also emphasises that more work should be done to articulate the close relationship between sexual and reproductive health and gender equality.

3.       It should be recognised that men are also responsible in cases of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, sexual harassment and abuse.

4.       In some European countries, where traditional values are still prevalent many young men do not except equal responsibility in relationship or on the potential consequences of sexual relationship, such as pregnancy, abortion and children.

5.       The concept of male involvement in reproductive health embraces many aspects of men’s lives including health, sexuality, midlife crises, violence, family planning, new role models, relationships and so on.

6.       The Assembly considers its important to create an environment where young men feel free to seek sexual and reproductive health services and advice and to encourage them to make conscious decisions about their health and needs. Sexuality education and knowledge about gender equality are the foundations of preventive work.

7.       Therefore, the Assembly calls the member states of the Council of Europe:

- to ensure programmes aimed at protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights;

- to provide sexual education in gender-sensitive way in schools, youth centres, army, prisons and youth detention centres;

- to promote scientific research in the field of male contraception to ensure equality between genders about the effects of using contraceptive methods;

- to encourage greater societal awareness about the sexual and reproductive health needs of young men in the community.

Signed : ¹

Kósá Kovács, Hungary, SOC

Aguiar, Portugal, EPP

Cliveti, Romania, SOC

Cryer, United Kingdom, SOC

Čurdová, Czech Republic, SOC

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Fedorov, Russia, EDG

López González, Spain, SOC

Mooney, Ireland, LDR

Rudkovsky, Ukraine, SOC

Zapfl-Helbling, Switzerland, EPP

Zwerver, Netherlands, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group