The Asia Safe Abortion Partnership (ASAP – www.asap-asia.org) invites applications from young persons living and working in Asia to join the Advocacy Institute for Safe Abortion Rights to be held in Mumbai, India from Wed 31^st October to Sat 3^rd November 2012.

Course Content:
There is a growing need for young champions to take on the role of promoting, protecting and expanding the sexual and reproductive rights of women, men and youth in Asia. The most challenging of these issues is the right to access safe abortion services. Young people need to be able to challenge conservative interpretations that allow cultural practices to be used to restrict the rights of young people, especially young girls and women.

Understanding the human rights dimensions of this struggle are important in building the capacity to be able to hold governments accountable for fulfilling programmes they are signatory to. Building alliances with communities and key stakeholders is possible through the use of social networking platforms as well as off line activities.

This institute will cover the following topics:

• Sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Human rights and gender perspectives
• Safe abortion
• Values clarification
• Use of Facebook, Twitter and blogs for networking

The Institute will encourage leadership skills and engage in strategic planning to develop ongoing involvement. Participants will have further opportunities to work in close collaboration with ASAP country partners.

Who you are:

• You are a young person between 18 and 25 years of age, living and/or working in Asia.
• You have a working knowledge of English
• You have at least 3 years experience working with issues of sexual and reproductive health in any capacity and you are passionate about the sexual and reproductive rights of young people.
• You have a good social network of other young people
• You have good communication skills and know how to use the Internet and smart phones for Facebook, Twitter and blogs.
• You believe that every girl and woman should have the right to choose if and when she wants to be pregnant and if she wants to continue a pregnancy or not.
• You can demonstrate how you will use what you learn at the Institute in your work and how you will continue to participate in follow-up activities

What this institute will be:

• An exciting and challenging 4 days with intense interactions!
• In depth engagement with issues of sexual and reproductive rights and health in Asia from a gender and rights perspective.
• Learning how to use communication tools and social networking platforms.
• An opportunity to interact with other young people from across Asia for an enriching exchange and sharing of experiences.
• A chance to make a difference as a champion in your own country
• Ongoing networking and mentoring support from the ASAP team beyond the workshop
• Creation of an alumni network to stay involved with the issues and expand your sphere of influence!

New Deadline for applications: September 5, 2012

Grants for travel and accommodation are available for a few suitable candidates.

For more information or to request an application form, write to us on discussions.asap@gmail.com