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Emergency Contraception Initiative - United States

Using the internet, Advocates for Youth encourages young people to take an active role in advocating at local, state, and national levels for their right to receive emergency contraception (EC). To cite two examples of this type of e-activism, the initiative developed a "A Puppet Parable of Politics & Polemics" that asked young people: "Who's fighting for your rights? Did you know that young women, regardless of age, in more than 30 countries around the world have access to emergency contraception (EC) without a doctor's prescription? But, not here in the United States!" Young people who log onto the programme website are able to watch a short puppet activist film on these issues. A 2nd e-film is designed to stimulate young people to engage in advocacy to make EC available without a doctor's prescription for all women; it is a "spoof" of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s decision to require this prescription. Viewers are provided with links to further information, and encouraged to email their friends to share the links. An online campaign toolkit is designed to help youth get creative about stimulating their peers to take action.

Contact Nicole Cheetham nicole@advocatesforyouth.org OR information@advocatesforyouth.org