This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
As the world marks the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is urging governments, institutions, and communities to recommit to the principles and objectives of the ICPD Programme of Action. This call to action was made by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem during a recent visit to Nairobi, Kenya.
Speaking in Nairobi on September 21, 2019, Dr. Kanem emphasized the importance of the upcoming Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, which is scheduled to take place from 12-14 November 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. The summit aims to elicit firm commitments from governments, institutions, and communities to end preventable maternal deaths, improve access to modern contraceptives, and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
Dr. Kanem expressed confidence that the summit will re-energize the global community, breathe new life into the ICPD agenda, and sustain or amplify gains made since 1994. She noted that the summit will bring together world leaders, heads of state and governments, officials from international organizations, heads of grassroots organizations, business leaders, youth, and other stakeholders.
According to UNFPA data, approximately 300,000 women die each year—more than 800 a day—of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths are preventable, and many of those who are girls. Dr. Kanem also highlighted the issue of gender-based violence, stating that one in three women are subjected to physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, while rape is increasingly employed as a weapon of war.
Despite the gains made since 1994, Dr. Kanem emphasized that there is still a long way to go before the goals of the ICPD can be achieved. She noted that too many people are still not enjoying their rights, and too many have been left behind.
