ASTRA Statement on Proposal for Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation

ASTRA Statement on Proposal for Directive on application of patients' rights in cross-border health care

On 12^th June Astra’s youth groups from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Poland and Georgia organized campaign “We choose to be healthy!”. The event was organized on the occasion of the International Youths Day.

The goal of the campaign was to raise awareness among young people concerning the importance of medical tests and also STI’s (sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS) prevention. Astra’s Youth members arranged happenings and meetings with young people in main cities of Astra’s members’ countries.

They were distributing leaflets prepared specifically for this event as well as some nice gadgets such as silicone bracelets, t-shirts, caps with a slogan of the action written on it.

Young people showed big interest and enthusiasm for the objectives of action. Many of them expressed the importance of common sex education and agreed that subject of STI’s infections among young people is still being neglected. Astra Youth finds “We choose to be healthy!” as a success!

We also congratulate Georgia that they had managed to implement this event, despite extremely difficult situation in their country!

On 13 March 2008 European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Development Cooperation. Members of the Parliament has drawn attention to the fact that although the Council had expressed his deep concern about gender equality, still not enough has been done in this subject. 

A British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has published a report regarding work of Women on Web, a not-for-profit organization based in the Netherlands, providing services to women with unwanted pregnancies in circumstances where they have no direct access to legal abortion. Woman in a such a difficult situation may use the internet to buy medication enabling them to terminate a pregnancy at home.

On June 14th Agata and her mother has left the hospital, where the girl was staying for the last few days after she had strong abdominal pains. During that stay the drugs to sustain pregnancy has been administered to her.

Finally the Court gave her a permission to temporarily come back home under custody of her parents until final decision is made.

In October 2007 ASTRA Network submitted the petition to the European Parliament Commission on Petitions for consideration on the issue of access to comprehensive sexuality education in EU Member States. The Petition can be found at: www.astra.org.pl/note_sexedu.pdf 

The petition presents benefits of comprehensive sex education and recommends the European Union to guarantee access to sexuality education throughout Europe.

However, the Petition's Committee consistently refuses to consider the Petition. It has been forwarded to the Commission on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.

Answers from the Committee on Petition: http://www.astra.org.pl/Libicki.jpg and further http://www.astra.org.pl/skanuj0009.pdf