In Argentina, adolescents have no direct access to information about sexuality. Schools do not teach sex education and open discussions about sex-related issues with adults are still taboo. Also, many cultural and religious obstacles exist. Argentinean adolescents talk about sexual and reproductive matters principally among themselves – seldom with their parents or teachers. Adolescents value their peers because they are the same age and share the same social and cultural interests and concerns.

To overcome existing obstacles to educating young people about sex, a youth network was established in 1999 to train adolescents to become peer educators on sexuality, HIV/AIDS and other STIs, adolescent pregnancy prevention and reproductive/sexual rights. Set up by the Foundation for Studies and Research on Women (FEIM), the Argentinean National Youth Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health advocates for sex education at schools and promotes adolescent programmes in public hospitals, giving adolescents access to comprehensive reproductive health services. The principal objectives of the Network are to promote and defend adolescents' human rights – especially sexual and reproductive rights – and to guarantee their participation in civil society at regional and national levels. Other adolescent groups around the country were invited to participate in the Network.

The first contact to organise the Network was difficult, as it was at the end of 1999, and most adolescents had already finished school and their personal data was not available. After overcoming logistical problems and the difficulties and expense of travel, the youths participating in the Network met in Buenos Aires City, where they organised different activities for 2000, commemorating special days. For instance, 21 September was designated as Students' Day, with games, workshops and stands in publics parks where adolescents participated and learned about AIDS, STIs and pregnancy prevention. From 25 November to 1 December students campaigned against domestic violence and HIV prevention by organising workshops or stands in their schools to explain and promote awareness on domestic violence and its relation to sexuality. They ended the campaign in a public park using a typical representation of the carnival season, the murga, to distribute leaflets and condoms.

The Network held its first national meeting from 20-21 May 2000 in Jesus Maria, a city in Cordoba province. The meeting attracted 120 adolescents from cities all around the country; the participants discussed the Network plan of action for 2000-2001 and its Declaration of Principles. In addition to organising special days, they agreed to promote the Network at municipal and national levels and to participate in implementation of public policies concerning adolescents.

Achievements so far

In 2000, some Network members of Greater Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires City started an FM radio programme in the Parque Patricios neighbourhood. In the radio programme, Network members discussed the Network's annual programme agenda, emphasising the importance of adolescents participating as peer educators in their communities. They also had discussions about child and adolescents rights, especially about sexual and reproductive health and rights. The radio programme gave the Network access to a large population.

In 2000, adolescents participated in discussions and final approval of the Sexual Health and Responsibility Procreation Law of the Buenos Aires City government, interacting with legislators and political decision-makers in public policy lobbying. The law makes complete and adequate information about sexual health, contraceptive methods and adolescent pregnancy prevention available to adolescents, while guaranteeing sexual and reproductive health services that take a gender perspective into account. The law can be an important tool in defining and protecting their sexual and reproductive rights.

The Network is also preparing an investigation of available sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents at public hospitals in different cities of the country. These results of the investigation may expand the current body of knowledge as to what services exist, their type, demand, characteristics and the implementation of services.

The future

The major challenge for 2001 is to develop a Second National Youth Network Meeting by reinforcing communication by e-mail, fax or telephone with the Network groups and by establishing contact with new groups in other provinces. The Network will develop a fact sheet in which all the groups will report their activities and create a website with links on sexual and reproductive health and rights to different sites.