2020
Jairo Rodrigues
- Age: 28
- | He/him/his
Region:
Country of Origin:
Country of Residence:
Expertise Areas:
Young people are in a unique position to re-educate each other, break oppressive cycles, and be the energy behind social change. The knowledge and application of sexual and reproductive health do just that. It allows us to take ownership of our bodies, stand up for our rights, reject injustices, and defend others. The ultimate accomplishment of this would be just, equitable, and empowered societies.
- Jairo Rodrigues
Bio
Jairo Rodrigues was born and raised in Guyana. He received a Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations from The University of Guyana in 2015. As a Programmes Officer at Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Jairo is responsible for advocacy, political lobbying, and coordinating project activities on sexual and reproductive health and rights and related issues of gender relations, comprehensive sexuality education, and human rights through community, youth, civil society, business, and political engagements. Additionally, Jairo is a member of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination Guyana, member of Educating Queers Using Artistic Learning – EQUAL Guyana, and Country Representative of the Caribbean Right Here Right Now Platform for SRHR Youth Advocacy.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
There was never really an ignition. Growing up, I experienced and observed that I live in a society with alarming rates of gender-based violence and abuses against sexual and gender minorities. As I learned and grew, so did my voice and social change strategies against these inequalities and injustices.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
Working with indigenous youth in a village called Annai in Guyana’s hinterland was a great advocacy win for me. The adolescents were so interested in learning more about their sexual and reproductive rights. Almost a year later when I re-visited the community, I learned that a few of the students were working on a community group to share what they had learned with other indigenous villages.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I love adventures, the thrill of new experiences, and being around people with the same positive energy. This is why I enjoy road trips, camping, and traveling a lot. If I am not on an adventure, then chilling with friends or a house party would be just as fine.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- family planning resources and legal abortions for girls and young women in the Caribbean
- LGBT+ rights and inclusivity in Caribbean societies
- youth participation in policy analysis
- political lobbying and community advocacy for SRHR
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Certificate of Completion in Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse from the United Nations Population Fund (September 2019)
- Latin America and Caribbean Women’s Health Network (LACWHN) Youth and Human Rights Defender on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (August 2018)
- Intentional Peer Support by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) (July 2018)
- Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS) Regional Advocate for completing the Caribbean LGBTI Leadership Academy (August-December 2017)
- Advocate for completing the Caribbean LGBTI Leadership Academy (August-December 2017)
- Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) Peer-Educator on Sex-Positive Sexual Health Programme (May 2016)
