Managing relations with the media Advocating for sexual and reproductive rights in Eastern Europe: The experience of ASTRA network members Jivka Marinova, BGRF – ASTRA member Riga

Who is ASTRA? ASTRA is a network of NGOs from CEE working for the promotion of reproductive and sexual health and rights of women. It was created in Most of its founding members have been active at the UN conferences addressing population and women’s issues: Cairo, Cairo+5, Beijing, Beijing+5.

ASTRA and MEDIA ASTRA organized an international workshop to strengthen advocacy skills and capacity to use mass media for campaigning in favor of women reproductive rights and health. The participants of the workshop: ASTRA members and journalists, working closely with the respective NGOs. The trainers: Joke van Kampen and Hillary Heath

ASTRA and MEDIA Training provided: How to organize and hold a press conference How to behave in front of the TV camera How to prepare a message

Outcome activities All country teams developed national advocacy plans The plans were presented, justified and assessed by the whole group

Belarus Belarus: Demographic safety without restriction on abortion Sociological survey: Reproductive safety without restrictions on abortion - the conclusions have been presented to a seminar for journalists Training: NGOs activities in reproductive rights advocacy - developing skills of NGO leaders for Reproductive Rights Protection Training for journalists: Transformation of stereotypes in the field of RSHR Concept of sexual education for teenagers Direct impact: the abortion law was not changed despite the pressure

Latvia Latvia: “Media a public awareness building tool about abortions” Essay contest for adolescents Six issues of daily newspaper dedicated to the topic of safe abortion Round table forum “Pro and Contra on abortion” Public discussion about abortion issues supported the voting of a law on reproductive health

Poland Poland: “My life, my decision” Exhibition “My life, my decision” presented on Attracted the attention to the abortion and its (il)legal status on the lives of women The Governmental Plenipotentiary for Equal Status of Men and Women used the boards during a conference The exhibition was presented in 2 cities and will be presented in other 3. Bookmarks have been produced as memento

Armenia Armenia: “Advocacy on safe abortion and contraception. The first step” Survey on the concepts of reproductive health and rights, safe abortion and contraception awareness among young girls Work with radio and newspaper journalists Participation in TV programs on youth and their reproductive rights with emphasis on abortion and contraception

Bulgaria: Bulgaria: “Informed use of contraception and safe abortion” Two radio shows in the most listened time focused on: attitudes and awareness of contraception among different groups interviews with specialists reportage from a consulting service in Sofia Two types of brochures - on safe abortion and on contraception distributed in medical institutions and schools

Lithuania: Lithuania: Abortion issues and general measures for improving women’s reproductive health: Draft Law on Reproductive Health Workshop - discussion for women’s NGOs, representatives of governmental institutions and media on abortion Recommendations for Lithuanian government and the Parliament The abortion remained legal

Russia: Russia: Creation of information for rising awareness of teenagers on reproductive health and rights Radio emission “The attitude of the society to abortions” Roundtable with massmedia shown by TV on “The prevention and reproductive health care among years old” Publication of a sociological survey on the theme

New activities: New activities: the future of ASTRA Brussels study tour 13 participants training at the EWL Visit of the European Parliament Attending the session of the committee of women’s rights and gender equality Meetings with European Parliamentarians

ASTRA ASTRA in Brussels March ASTRA representatives from 12 countries of CEE/CIS came to Brussels to familiarize with EU institutions, especially with the European Parliament, as well as Brussels-based NGOs as they relate to reproductive and sexual health and rights. The French Member of the E P Ms. Genevieve Fraisse of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities organized the informal meeting of the ASTRA delegates with a group of 12 Members of European Parliament, which included members of Women’s Committee – Ms. Anna Karamanou, the Chair, Ms. Marianne Eriksson and Olga Zrihen (Vice Chairs), Ms. Anne Van Lancker, Ms. Joke Swiebel, Ms. Christa Prets, Ms. Maria Martens as well as Ms. Elisabeth Schroedter (Committee of Foreign Affairs) and Ms. Ulla Sandbank (Committee on Development and Cooperation).