Aware that teenage pregnancy is a problem that affects Xochimilco, Ana Fernanda and Ricardo decided to participate in a call promoted by the United Nations Population Programme (UNFPA) in Mexico and his partner Little Boys, AC. to transform this reality through art and communication.
Both live in the mountainous area of Xochimilco, south of Mexico City. This is a municipality that has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy: 81 pregnancies per 1,000 adolescents, twice the world average of 40 pregnancies per 1,000 adolescents, according to UNFPA Mexico. This situation limits their human rights, including access to decent employment, and leads to a higher rate of school dropouts, especially among women. It also contributes to an increase in poverty and violence against women, girls and adolescents, and even to a higher rate of early mortality among women, among other problems.
The conviction of young people like Ana Fernanda Fabila, 18, and Ricardo González, 17, to change this situation is exemplary. Both decided to act by competing in a call launched by UNFPA together with the Xochimilco civil association called ““Little Son”to make a mural promoting sexual and reproductive rights in their localityas well as providing key information and tools for young people to be able to plan and enjoy a life project. Their proposal was chosen among more than 55 projects from 83 participants.
“In your own way, but take care of yourself… We are too young to take care of ourselves.” kitty babies,” can be read on his recently painted mural in Xochimilco, which features Telephones to provide immediate and timely assistance gender violence, psychological care and complaints against the violation of human rights, as well as access to Friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for youth, located in the Xochimilco Health Centers.
“You shouldn’t be afraid to take care of your sexuality!”urges Ricardo, who is very proud to contribute with this type of messages in a community where just a few years ago it was very difficult to talk about how to take care of sexual and reproductive health to prevent early pregnancies and avoid contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
“Talking about sex in our teens was bad. We were never told that we had to take care of ourselves and that there were thousands of ways to take care of ourselves. For us there was never this kind of information“, says Ana Lilia Flores, Ana Fernanda’s mother, who applauds this type of initiatives and information campaigns not only because they involve young people and their families, but because they have the potential to save the lives of many girls and adolescents.
“Many girls die because they do not have the necessary information,” says Ana Lilia, 39. “They get into places [web o redes sociales[ donde te dicen: ‘si te tomas este tecito, ya con esto’ [interrumpes el embarazo]But what does it cause? Many girls die because of it. Because they don’t have the necessary information.” With this mural on the street, she adds, reliable information is placed in the hands of the girls and adolescents who need it. “It helps them not to feel alone and to know where to go.”
“I never imagined that the drawing had reached this point. We are very excited. We were surprised by the result. Sometimes you don’t lose anything by saying: ‘let’s see, let’s try it’ (…) It inspires us a lot to keep going and continue with these projects,” added Ricardo and Ana Fernanda.
Ana Fernanda and Ricardo celebrate the completion of their mural in San Gregorio, Xochimilco, with their mothers.
‘Pollinating bees’ of change
For Dana, facilitator and promoter of the project, providing reliable and timely information on sexual and reproductive health to youth is key for women to be able to enjoy a dignified and full life. “It is harder to get ahead when we do not have access to these types of activities that lead us in an informed, conscious and responsible way decide about our sexual life“,” says Dana, who was a mother during her teenage years.
The project promoted by UNFPA Mexico, Organon, the Xochimilco Health Jurisdiction and Little boy includes urban art, photography workshops, soccer tournaments, schools for parents and even workshops on amaranth and computer programming, robotics and artificial intelligence, to economically empower women. Part of the objectives has been Involve local civil society and promote youth and women leadership with the aim of having a greater medium and long-term impact on the community.
Proof of committed leadership are Ricardo and Ana Fernanda, but also Dana and Ariadna, two social workers from Xochimilco who found motivation in these projects to sow change in your community.
“I feel very proud of these projects, but above all very empowered. I feel a great obligation and responsibility to continue preparing myself and continuing to educate myself on these issues (…) Now we can plant and be like pollinating bees: “to sow change in each person and make people actors in that change in their lives,” says Dana Martínez, 33 years old.
“The project has had a great impact on adolescents and young people. Promoting information on sexual and reproductive rights is a triggering change for the future (…) Being a facilitator has been a great experience.” radical change in my life “both on a personal and local level. I feel happy and very proud. I am grateful to UNFPA for turning to Xochimilco,” added Ariadna Morales, 23.
Dana and Ariadna, social workers from Xochimilco, found motivation in these projects to sow change in their community.
Comprehensive and multi-stakeholder program
In two years, just over 25,000 young people and adolescents have benefited from this project promoted in Xochimilco by UNFPA Mexico with the support of the pharmaceutical company Organon, and the inter-institutional participation of the Xochimilco Health Jurisdiction, the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City, the Youth Integration Center, the Xochimilco Mayor’s Office and Little Son.
For Alejandra Maldonado, coordinator of the initiative at UNFPA, these projects can only be successful when they work hand in hand with the community, local civil society organizations, the municipal government, specialized institutions, private initiative and autonomous organizations. “There is no place where we do not find a case of sexual abuse here in Xochimilco,” reports Maldonado about the findings she has encountered during implementation. “The virtue of this project is that a Multi-stakeholder alliance enables comprehensive care to adolescents and young people.”
Cesar Guevara, director of Little boythanked UNFPA Mexico for its support in implementing projects in various towns in Xochimilco: “People’s interest is natural. The kids arrive on horseback, by bike or on a trajinera,” he said. “Working hand in hand with an international organization is incredible. We can continue creating support networks.” Creating a support network is saving lives”.
“Access to sexual and reproductive rights is something that involves the whole of society, not just young people and adolescents.. We all have a responsibility to provide information in a timely manner, to support youth and children in a way free of prejudice. That is why these multi-stakeholder interventions are very important; they promote and encourage sexual health in a municipality like Xochimilco,” concluded Maldonado, recalling that September 4 marks World Sexual Health Day.
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