SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE RIGHT IN THE REVISED YOUTH LAW

The forum was organized by the Department of Legal Education, Ministry of Justice and
Youth Affairs Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs in collaboration with the Center
for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) on December 21, 2014 to
create an atmosphere of open exchanges to help young people express their needs
straightforwardly with policy makers and make specific recommendations on
amendments to some articles related to ensuring the right to Sexual and Reproductive
Health (SRH) for young people, especially young people belonging to particular groups
in the revised Youth Law.

Members of the forum board of directors

The forum was attended by: Dr. Vu Dang Minh - Director, Youth Affairs Department,
Ministry of Home Affairs, Head of Youth Law Editorial Team; Dr. Do Xuan Lan -
Deputy Director, Legal Education Dissemination Department, Ministry of Justice; Ms. Le
Thi Lam Huong, Permanent Secretary, Office of the National Committee for Youth in
Vietnam; Ms. Doan Duc Hao, Deputy Director, Youth Affairs Department, Ministry of
Home Affairs, Ms. Quach Thu Trang, CCIHP Deputy Director and experts, officers from
civil society organizations work with youth and SRH issues of youth. In particular, the
forum has the participation of 60 young people who are students, young people living
with disabilities, young migrants, young gay, bisexual and transgender living, studying
and working in Hanoi.

Nguyen Anh Ngoc, representing the Youth Disabilities group, presented the group's

recommendations at the forum

The forum took place in a lively, frankly and open-minded atmosphere, creating
motivation and confidence for young people to boldly contribute their own opinions to
the Law. The book-makers at the forum shared their very new and very open approach to
rights-based thinking, considering the problem as a whole, but taking into account the
specificity.

Luong Bich Ngoc contributed comments at the forum

Commenting on the forum, Nguyen Mai Lan (Do Thanh Aluminum Joint Stock
Company) said, "I am quite impressed by the straightforward and close response of the
Director of the Youth Affairs Department, Ministry of Home Affairs - Vu Dang Minh on
the problem of youth's SRH.
All of these promised a new legal document bearing the youth's identity, assuring the
rights of youth, especially the rights of youths in particular groups.
Hoa Cat (CCIHP)