Advocacy
FPAA provides advice and advocates on the issues that impact the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people.
Some of the key areas we work include:
- contraception
- STIs and BBVs
- comprehensive relationships and sexual health education
- abortion care
- gender and sexual diversity
- sexual rights
The Family Planning Alliance Australia works to uphold, strengthen and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Contraception
Access to safe, effective, affordable and culturally acceptable contraception and advice is an essential health service that reduces the impact of unintended pregnancies.
All options should be available, along with accurate information to support choice.
Across Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas, we need improved information and access to emergency contraception (EC), as well as long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) such as IUDs and contraceptive implants.
Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood Borne Viruses
Information, prevention options, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses should be accessible to everyone.
Where technology has provided us with new methods of prevention, these should be made accessible to all. Young people 16-25 years old are the largest group affected by STIs, so public health campaigns need to be informative, accurate and meet their needs. Clinical services should be welcoming, confidential, affordable and easy to access.
Comprehensive Relationships and Sexual Health Education
Comprehensive relationships and sexuality education (CSE) delivered throughout the school years is a critical primary prevention strategy. It reduces the risk of child sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and promotes gender equality. It also reduces unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and transmission of HIV.
Founded on concepts of bodily autonomy and consent, CSE provides children and young people with the skills to better respect the rights of others, and to connect with safe adults, services and supports when they need them.
We believe teachers and the school community need to be supported with information, training, clinically accurate teaching resources, referral pathways and advice.
Abortion Care
Abortion care assists people who are pregnant to exercise their right to reproductive and bodily autonomy. It’s healthcare and should be legal, nationally consistent, affordable and fully accessible irrespective of where you live.
Abortion care reduces morbidity and mortality caused by unsafe and illegal abortion and reduces the social and economic harms caused by unintended pregnancy.
Gender and Sexual Diversity
Heteronormativity, discrimination and social exclusion have detrimental effects on the health, well-being and safety of individuals and the wider community.
Sexual and reproductive health services should be welcoming, safe and affirming for all.
Sexual Rights
When we strengthen sexual rights, sexual and reproductive health outcomes improve for all.
Under international human rights law, all persons have the right to control and decide freely on matters related to their sexuality; be free from violence, coercion, or intimidation in their sexual lives; have access to sexual and reproductive health care information, education and services; and to be protected from discrimination based on the exercise of their sexuality.
We advocate in support of a range of rights based issues such as gender equity, sexual diversity, universal access to services, sex work decriminalisation, rights of people with disabilities and reducing sexual stigma.
