News

Rutgers and Dance4Life have entered into a full merger on 1st January 2021 whilst retaining their own brands. Both Supervisory Boards have agreed to this. Rutgers and Dance4Life have been working together for years to improve the sexual health and rights of young people worldwide. Combining the strengths of both organisations offer opportunities to make greater impact together.

Gender inequality is one of the most pressing barriers to global social and economic progress and the fulfilment of human rights. One of the most prevalent symptoms of gender inequality is gender-based violence (GBV), with one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. The root causes of GBV and gender inequality are deeply embedded in patriarchal values and power structures within societies, policies, and legislation.

Today Rutgers launches two reports which reveal often untold perspectives and realities of young Indonesians and their sexuality – as told by young people to young people.

We probably all remember our own first sexuality education lesson. At least I do! When I was 12 my male teacher told us that sex was actually about having respectful relationships. I remember feeling flabbergasted. Wasn't it about (not) having sex and babies, and the birds and the bees?

Rutgers and Women First Digital (WFD), an eHealth social enterprise that operates two safe abortion websites, howtouseabortionpill.org and safe2choose.org, are pleased to announce that WFD has joined the ‘She Makes Her Safe Choice’ programme, funded by the Dutch Postcode Lottery.

As Malawi joined the rest of the world last Saturday in commemorating World Contraception Day, the occasion brought a flush of memories regarding myths surrounding the use of contraceptives, more especially among the youth.

Machinga District Heath Office says cases of Sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancies among the youth are very high in the district because of low uptake of family planning methods.

Many Dutch singles haven’t had sex since the start of the lockdown and 1.5 meter social distancing. This is the case for half of single young men and women, and for one third of the single men. From among all singles, 1 in 5 has had sex with a partner during the corona period, but this is now usually someone they have sex with more often (a sex buddy) than a one-night stand. Rutgers and SOA Aids Nederland investigated the influence of the COVID pandemic and measures on the sexual health of Dutch adolescents and adults, and access to sexual healthcare.

Today the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Rutgers has been selected to enter into 3 partnerships with the Ministry to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people, and to work towards gender justice in countries across Africa, Asia and the MENA region. It is a mark of approval for the work we do with our partners in over 20 countries every day.

Rutgers and Dance4Life have been working together for several years to improve the sexual health and rights of young people worldwide. Improving those rights is desperately needed, as unsafe sex is still the fastest growing health risk for young people worldwide. For example, complications around pregnancies are the #1 cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19 years old. Our organizations overlap in vision and mission.