Since 1992, the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA) has been representing the voices of 1.3 million medical students coming from 134 countries worldwide. IFMSA advocates for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with a designated Standing Committee acting as the driving force in these efforts.
IFMSA works on pursuing “A world where every individual is empowered to exercise their sexual and reproductive health and rights equally, free from stigma and discrimination” and equipping medical students with the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to take action and engage in change-making processes locally, nationally and globally. IFMSA has a large focus on building capacities in the field of SRHR, with various workshops closing the gaps in knowledge of topics oftentimes not covered enough in SRHR related educational resources globally.
The session will focus on presenting 2 of the aforementioned workshops: Youth act for safe abortion (a training developed in collaboration with Ipas on Women’s reproductive Rights and Access to Safe Abortion) and H.E.A.T. (the HIV Education and Advocacy Training). Medical students from different cultural and regional backgrounds and experiences took part in an education initiative that covered medical, social and advocacy-related aspects. The workshops are based on manuals that are available for use and can be used for medical students, by medical students worldwide to build their capacities on relevant SRHR topics - anytime, in different settings and multiple languages.
Both workshops highlight the role of relevant non-formal education methods when it comes to creating a safe space for participants necessary to discuss the diverse topics that the workshops entail. Examples of such methods are simulations, role-plays, debates, and project planning and development by participants themselves was deemed one of the cornerstones that makes participants engage and become proficient in the content of the training. This is reinforced by a small number of participants per workshop and giving them the opportunity to interact in addition to expressing their points of view and personal experiences without fear of being judged. Participants are chosen in a way that promotes intercultural learning- the students taking part in the workshop come from diverse regions and cultural backgrounds, keeping gender representation in mind.
Learning Outcomes: 1) Showcase concrete ways to use open education methods to deliver SRHR knowledge to medical students worldwide and highlight the benefit of different implementation formats. 2) Display specific examples of how SRHR education initiatives approach taboo and stigmatized topics by creating safe spaces. 3) Empowering future healthcare professionals to engage in advocacy efforts, therefore raising awareness about SRHR issues in the general public.
