31 July, 2019                                                                                                                                        Press Release 

Appointment new Youth Ambassador Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, in partnership with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has recently appointed Justine van de Beek as the new independent Youth Ambassador for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, 2019-2020.   

“I am very honoured to be chosen as Youth Ambassador SRHR. As a sociologist, writer and feminist I have been engaged with sexual rights and gender equality for quite some years now. Uprising conservatism all around the world frightens me, but also motivates me to continue my fight for sexual and gender freedom. I am looking forward to broadening my scope and learning more about the diplomatic side of these topics, as well as engaging more on an international level.”

Based on the Ministry’s and CHOICE’s shared vision that young people need to be more structurally engaged, they set up the role of the SRHR Youth Ambassador in 2014. After three successful Ambassadors (Lotte, Sanne and Melodi), a new Youth Ambassador SRHR, Justine van de Beek, has started. She will serve as Ambassador until September 2020.  

The Youth Ambassador SRHR will serve as an important link between young people and policy makers with the aim of better aligning the work of the Ministry with the realities of young people in the Netherlands and abroad. This will help build networks with other young people, (youth) organizations in the Netherlands and abroad, and map the challenges and needs of young people in this area. The presence of the Youth Ambassador in international and national forums will further highlight the importance of SRHR, women’s rights and gender equality everywhere. 

Tijmen Rooseboom, Special Youth Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “I am very enthusiastic about Justine’s appointment. Her drive and expertise will be of great value. I’m looking forward to jointly advocate for meaningful youth participation, and to get young people’s perspectives to women’s rights, gender equality and SRHR.”

Through the work of the Youth Ambassador SRHR, young people have an official voice in the development of Dutch and international policy on sexual and reproductive health and rights, freedom of choice and gender equality in general, and for young people in particular. 

For inquiries, please contact: 

Lewis Emmerton, Advocacy Coordinator at lewis@choiceforyouth.org. 

About CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality:  

CHOICE advocates for young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and for their meaningful participation in the decisions made about their lives. CHOICE strengthens the capacity of young people and youth-led organizations, enabling them to become leaders and change-makers in their communities.   

For more information visit our website https://www.choiceforyouth.org/ or follow the Youth Ambassador on Facebook: @YouthSRHR and Twitter @Youthsrhr