MYSU’s objectives are the following:

• Influence the definition and implementation of gender-sensitive and rights-based public policies on sexual and reproductive health.
• Promote professional training in the areas of sexuality, gender, rights, and sexual and reproductive health.
• Conduct and disseminate research regarding the state of public policies on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Promote the use of scientific evidence in the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies on sexual and reproductive health.
• Articulate the efforts of different organizations and individuals in order to promote and guarantee the recognition and exercise of sexual and reproductive rights as human rights.
• Follow up on and monitor the compliance with commitments made by the State of Uruguay in conferences and conventions of the United Nations system.

“I was always a volunteer and will continue being one, but I was surprised by this recognition of us, women activists, and by the space we were provided in the campaign on the abortion law. Whenever they need me, I’ll be there.” —Eva López, from Comuna Mujer 17, collaborator in the 2008 campaign

Since 2002, with support from IWHC, MYSU has worked towards the legalization of abortion in Uruguay. Our most recent projects in this area are:

Strategies for the Social-Based Scaling Up and Achievement of a Legal Change on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (2005-2008) - A campaign to promote a bill for the defense of reproductive health in Uruguay (Law Nº 18.426) in a new political scenery. Although later vetoed by the President, the bill was passed by the Legislature in December 2008 with the exclusion of chapters that would have legalized abortion on demand up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Achievements:

• Building and sustainment of the political and social debate on the legalization of abortion.
• Parliamentary approval of a sexual and reproductive health law which contains the decriminalization of abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, after 70 years of penalization of this practice in Uruguay.
• Massive demonstration against the presidential veto which stopped the enactment of this law.
• Inclusion of the commitment to advance the issue of sexual and reproductive health, including the decriminalization of abortion, in the Government’s Program of Frente Amplio (Broad Front, the current ruling party) to be implemented in the 2010-2015 period.

The Decriminalization of Abortion and the Electoral Political Agenda (2009-2010). New political debate previous to the presidential and parliamentary elections in October-November 2009. A campaign to promote the position of political parties on how to guarantee that all people have the capacity and power to make decisions about their sexuality and reproductive life, including the right to decide freely and responsibly whether to have children or not, with whom, as well as the number, spacing and timing of their children.

Achievements:

• Sustainment of the political and social debate on abortion legalization in Uruguay.
• Inclusion of the decriminalization of abortion in the electoral agenda.
• Inclusion of abortion decriminalization in the agenda of media that promote the electoral agenda and give it content.
• Opening of spaces for reflection and the expression of citizen’s demand in favor of sexual and reproductive rights. Since its launch in September 2009, the campaign “The decisions about your body, health and your life belong to you. They are your rights, assert them” has gotten almost 4,000 signatures in its Facebook space. We also have a website which has had more than 4,000 visits in two months.

• Check out their website.
• Check out the They are your rights, assert them website (English and Spanish versions).
  
• Watch their videos on YouTube.
• Join the Campaña por los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos on Facebook.
• Follow them on Twitter.

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